Friday, March 11, 2011

Did 'supermoon' cause Japan earthquake and tsunami?

A whirlpool caused by currents from a tsunami near the port of Oarai after Japan was struck by a strong earthquake off its north-eastern coast todayA whirlpool caused by currents from a tsunami near the port of Oarai after Japan was struck by a strong earthquake off its north-eastern coast today.

The powerful tsunami that today slammed into Japan's eastern coast comes just two days after warnings that the movement of the moon could trigger unpredictable events on Earth.

Astrologers predicted that on March 19 - a week tomorrow - the so-called 'supermoon' will be closer to Earth than at any time since 1992, just 221,567 miles away, and that its gravitational pull will bring chaos to Earth.

Others on the Internet have predicted it will cause further catastrophes such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Coming just three weeks after the quake which devastated Christchurch in New Zealand killing hundreds, this latest disaster will only add fuel to their fire.

However the 'supermoon' date is still eight days away. But those that adhere to this particular belief could claim that this was still close enough for there to be some kind of effect.

Two days ago, in an interview with ABC radio discussing the potential impact of the March 19 supermoon, astrologer Richard Nolle, who first coined the term in 1979, said he was convinced that lunar perigees cause natural disasters on Earth.

'Supermoons have a historical association with strong storms, very high tides, extreme tides and also earthquakes,' he said.

However, scientists dismiss this as utter nonsense and that although it makes a good photo opportunity for astronomers it has no impact on Earth.

Dr David Harland, space historian and author, said: 'It's possible that the moon may be a kilometre or two closer to Earth than normal at a perigee, but it's an utterly insignificant event.'

Professor George Helffrich, a seismologist at the University of Bristol was equally dismissive.

'Complete nonsense. The moon has no significant effect on earthquake triggering.

'If the moon triggers "big" earthquakes, it would trigger the many of millions of times more "small" earthquakes that happen daily. There is no time dependence of those; hence no moon effect.' ...


via Japan earthquake and tsunami: Did 'supermoon' cause today's natural disaster? | Mail Online.

2 comments:

marjoriekaye said...

Yesterday, hours before the tsunami/quake, I read an article about this upcoming March 19 supermoon. My apartment is on a hill and below it is a strip mall. I wondered if I might find myself sitting on top of Albertsons. This quake calls to mind Lennon's definition of Life and how it happens when we're busy making other plans.It's funny how specifics move us and numbers don't. Too many movies like 2012 and so on-- still it horrifies and leaves us numb.

Xeno said...

That quote by John is the first thing you see when you enter my house. It is a great reminder to expect the unexpected.