Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: moses lawn on 31/12/2004 19:33:13

Title: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: moses lawn on 31/12/2004 19:33:13
It was reported that the Tsunami, or the earthquake that caused it, may have caused a 1 degree tilt in the Earth's axis.

If that is indeed true, what effects, both long and short term, can we expect to follow?
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: gsmollin on 03/01/2005 16:04:59
I didn't hear that, and I don't believe that. If such a small event could tilt the earth's axis 1 degree, the axis would be pointing all over the sky.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: neilep on 03/01/2005 16:27:27
I agree with gsmollin...and I have not heard any reports akin to the earth tilting due to the tsunami,and it seems highly unlikly that , that particular earthquake/tsunami would have the power to do that. I can imagine though quite a few scare-mongering stories like that being made.

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: OldMan on 04/01/2005 02:05:35
I read something in our local paper about the quake causing a wobble in the earth's rotation and had the same concerns/queries to the effect. Haven't heard anything else about it though.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: chris on 04/01/2005 08:39:02
Yes, there was a small 'wobble' and the length of the day was consequently altered by a few microseconds but, to my knowledge, no permanent alteration in our axis tilt. A shift of 1 degree is a huge amount and (I would anticipate) would cause considerable climate changes.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: OldMan on 05/01/2005 02:53:48
Just found a link by chance...

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/12/29/quake.wobble.reut/index.html

Tim
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: neilep on 05/01/2005 03:29:05
...can someone pass me the ketchup.....my hat is quite tough !!!........but surely the same can be said for every major earthquake, natural disaster etc etc over the years....I suppose the bottom line is that on a global scale...the earth is still safe....isn't it ?

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Zichichi on 06/01/2005 17:42:49
I realize that the sea can be more moved comprehensively therefore
the vapour can enhance in the air...........


nothing is created and nothing is destroyed
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: gsmollin on 09/01/2005 00:28:27
quote:
Originally posted by neilep

...can someone pass me the ketchup.....my hat is quite tough !!!........but surely the same can be said for every major earthquake, natural disaster etc etc over the years....I suppose the bottom line is that on a global scale...the earth is still safe....isn't it ?

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'




Keep your hat on Neil, that shift was 1 inch, not one degree. Converting 1 inch at the pole to degrees gives 0.0000002 degrees. The author goes on the explain that the poles regularly wobble 30 feet, so I don't believe 1 inch is a problem. Yes, the earth is still the best place to live we know about.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Exodus on 10/01/2005 11:35:31
Seeing as this is earthquake/tsunami related, i'll move it to geology. okey dokey.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Sadie on 02/02/2005 15:12:28
I've heard this too. They say it's because the earthquake hit the highest point on the Richter scale (9.0).
And as you say, caused the 1 inch tilt in the Earths axis. Also causing the day to last a few microseconds longer and for the weather to be slightly greater.

It makes sense. But it doesn't quite fit.

Still, it is an interesting theory. [:)]
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Exodus on 02/02/2005 18:11:14
To be honest though.... looking at the size of the earth its a tiny movement and really isn't going to cause any problems.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Sadie on 22/02/2005 14:57:14
I don't feel time passing by any quicker. (Only because it always feels as though it passes fast.
And the weather is always rather peculiar. Especially here in the UK.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Jim Tree on 01/07/2005 13:38:36
Friends who are avid hunters and are real nature conscience were saying that they witnessed the sunset approximately 6 to ten miles farther north than they have ever seen it. They are located on lake livingston, tx and they've been watching the sunset for many years over the lake.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Jim Tree on 01/07/2005 13:39:09
Friends who are avid hunters and are real nature conscience were saying that they witnessed the sunset approximately 6 to ten miles farther north than they have ever seen it. They are located on lake livingston, tx and they've been watching the sunset for many years over the lake.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Jim Tree on 01/07/2005 13:40:00
Friends who are avid hunters and are real nature conscience were saying that they witnessed the sunset approximately 6 to ten miles farther north than they have ever seen it. They are located on lake livingston, tx and they've been watching the sunset for many years over the lake.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: rabeldin on 02/07/2005 02:20:56
Are we hearing about a language problem? For some non-native speakers of English, the distinction between a tilt (presumably permanent) and a wobble (explicitly temporary) may be unclear.

R A Beldin,
Improbable Statistician
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: niko on 07/11/2005 19:54:06
maybe there are things that just don't know. but to think 1 degree sounds like a small number but it effects a lot of people in many different ways one; i live in alaska and when we tilt for winter it gets cold and i mean averege of -45. now if the earth tilts it means it could get colder for use here or it could get warmer but ether way it still effects us and every one else.

niko aka mr.ree
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: KnitKid on 03/01/2006 20:44:42
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Tree

Friends who are avid hunters and are real nature conscience were saying that they witnessed the sunset approximately 6 to ten miles farther north than they have ever seen it. They are located on lake livingston, tx and they've been watching the sunset for many years over the lake.



I noticed that the sunrise and sunset are different here in Tulsa too. Before the earthquake that caused the tsunami, I could see the sunrise through the window above my kitchen sink-now I see it through the window above the washing machine, 8 feet south. I told this to a friend who lives on Long Island, and she noted that the shady spot near her pool was no longer there; same tree, same area, no shade.
Could a wobble last for a year?
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: daveshorts on 04/01/2006 20:15:07
Are you sure you have made these measurements at the same time of year as sunrise will alter a lot just due to the seasons.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Ray hinton on 29/01/2006 01:56:49
if a relatively small quake can cause a tilt of one degree in the earths axis, what will happen when one of the canary islands falls in half, that will be a splash to see.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: ukmicky on 29/01/2006 03:19:36
quote:
what will happen when one of the canary islands falls in half, that will be a splash to see.

Hi Ray

I could be wrong but i think thats all been disproved.

Michael                 HAPPY NEW YEAR                     (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi11.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa186%2Fukmicky%2Fparty-smiley-012.gif&hash=844994fd61764508c533537d6874634d)
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Ray hinton on 30/01/2006 20:10:48
hi mickey
the concensus is that during some future eruption a large slice of one of them is headed west,a bit like the big crack in hawai,i hope im not on the beach if it does,i cant surf at all.
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: chris on 31/01/2006 12:14:10
This is correct. There is a large slab of rock which is gently slipping into the ocean off the west of the Canaries. It is of sufficient volume to trigger a huge tsunami which will hit the eastern seaboard of the US, IF the piece drops into the sea en-masse. But this is a big if. It's much more likely that it will go piecemeal, and therefore with a much smaller splash.

The timescale for this event is, however, difficult to predict.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: ukmicky on 31/01/2006 22:09:45
I couldn't find the original scientific study i read which refuted the claims  regarding the canaries splitting in two and creating a giant tsunami which could threaten the american coast but i did find this.  i will keep looking for the original as it was a lot more in depth.

http://www.lapalma-tsunami.com/

Michael                 HAPPY NEW YEAR                     (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi11.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa186%2Fukmicky%2Fparty-smiley-012.gif&hash=844994fd61764508c533537d6874634d)
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: Ray hinton on 02/02/2006 01:02:44
it seems i stand (well actually im sat)corrected mickey,
never one to be a sore loser, i bow to your superior knowledge (and search capability) Ray.

every village has one !
Title: Re: Did the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami cause the Earth to alter its tilt?
Post by: rosalind dna on 21/05/2008 10:53:19
What about the earthquakes that happened in Burma/Myanamar (sp) and
China, how would that affect the earth's balance or is it tilted
yet again?