Posted on 03/12/2011 6:23:38 AM PST by NYer
A massive tsunami sweeps in to engulf a residential area after a powerful earthquake in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire.
Cars and destroyed homes swept by a tsunami are seen on a street after an earthquake in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people.
The letters "SOS" are seen written on the ground at Minami Sanriku Elementary School, after an earthquake in Minami Sanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture March 12, 2011. Japan confronted devastation along its northeastern coast on Saturday, with fires raging and parts of some cities under water after a massive earthquake and tsunami that likely killed at least 1,000 people.
USGS Dr. Dave Applegate says the Japan earthquake ruptured a 180 mile long by 50 mile wide section of the Earth's crust.
Scientists from the United States Geological Service answered questions from the public this afternoon, with some startling revelations made.
* The first tsunami wave in Samoa was reportedly one foot tall, but the seventh wave was much larger, indicating coastal areas shoudl remain on tsunami advisory well after the first wave hits, even if that wave appears small.
* 100+ aftershocks have rated 5.0 magnitude or more in Japan since the initial shake.
* Earth's axis has reportedly shifted ten inches as a result of the quake, and Japan's coast is said to have permanently shifted 2.4 metres.
* The quake was 900 times stronger than the quake that hammered San Francisco in 1989.
* Aftershocks from the Peru earthquake of almost a year ago are still felt to this day.
* Honshu earthquake occurred on ocean floor of the Pacific plate, bumping 250 miles of coastline.
* Shaking was felt as far away as China.
* The Honshu quake was not as large as the 1964 Alaska earthquake, but was comparable to the recent Chile earthquake.
* Tsunami waves that hit California earlier today washed three onlookers out to sea. Two have been recovered.
* St Louis, Missouri media outlets report that city has moved an inch as a result of the quake.
* Waves from the ensuing tsunami reached 32 feet high.
Last night on TV (Fox?) I saw this one upgraded to 9.1
Where did the water go?
I thought the quake was upgraded to a 9.1.
You're perfectly correct, but I think you're thinking about things in terms of actual science and geometry rather than in the language they are being communicated which is "journalese." The way I understand a journalist saying "the earth's axis shifted a few inches" is simply as a few inches of pole shift (which are, as you indicated, merely points on that axis). By definition, the earth's axis must go through the center of the earth, so a parallel shift as you're thinking about would mean the earth was no longer rotating about it's center; however, if it weren't, it would be doing something other than "rotating." Rather, it's not the central core of the earth that moved, but the plates at the surface that slipped in relationship to one another (and to the center.)
Global Warming!
For later.
*** The quake was 900 times stronger than the quake that hammered San Francisco in 1989.**
Wow!
Thank you for posting that ocean floor map, it’s very interesting and awesome to look at.
“Ok, question for today: How long will it take for Japan to rebuild? Will it be before New Orleans is rebuilt? Or Detroit? Just asking !!”
Japan will be rebuilt looong before New Orleans or Detroit simply because the US gov. is involved...ie. useless and as a soup sandwich.
“Ok, question for today: How long will it take for Japan to rebuild? Will it be before New Orleans is rebuilt? Or Detroit? Just asking !!”
Japan will be rebuilt looong before New Orleans or Detroit simply because the US gov. is involved...ie. useless as a soup sandwich.
I’m not sure how to answer that. Seeing the devastation as it happens is very disturbing but it doesn’t show bodies or anything like that.
“Earth’s axis has reportedly shifted ten inches ....”
I have seen this fact stated. Does that mean we are tilted more relative to the plane of the solar system or less? Or does it mean something else.
Laughing out loud. I am so NOT obsession or worrying at all. I just think it’s a cool theory. I spent today in the sun watching a bunch of college baseballs. I did not think about the earth moving one single time!
Talking head on CNN said coast moved east. Wasn't sure about vertical movement yet..
The continents are on the move all the time. They just do it in slower movements.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
The fact that we think we can measure 10 inches of shift in the earth’s axis sounds rediculous.
What’s our point of reference? Pluto?
Uranus.
sorry - had to say it...
Like birth pangs. I don’t know how they tell the difference between aftershocks and not more earthquakes. Those poor people I can’t even imagine.
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