Chilean Quake Shifted Earth's Axis

[Sunset_Twilight]

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/chilean-quake-shifted-earths-axis-nasa-scientist-20100302-peqe.html?autostart=1

What are the thoughts on this?

[full_frontal_occlusion]

Sounds like a NASA geologist jumping on the publicity bandwagon.

The physics explanation is perfectly plausible - think about how an ice skater controls the rate and center of spin by extending or retracting limbs. This is the same as shifting a large land mass either closer to or away from the earths centre of mass.

However, whilst a limb is a significant percentage of a skaters mass and therefore change in rotation is equally large, the mass shfted due to an earthquake is a very small percentage of the earths mass and an even less perceptible shift in position.

A couple of microseconds a day would mean we need to add a 'leap day' every 1400 years or so.

Of course the effect is likely completely swamped by plate tectonics at subduction and heave boundaries - mountain ranges where plates meet.

I really wouldn't lose (a couple of microseconds) sleep over it.

ffO.

Edited March 2, 2010 by full_frontal_occlusion