the earth moved - really

[rivendellrose]

Just when those of us in the northern hemisphere are starting to enjoy the lengthening days of springtime, NASA scientists say that the Chile earthquake may have shortened the Earth's days by 1.26 microseconds.

Of course, a microsecond is barely noticeable in the grand scheme of things, but it's still pretty damned mind-boggling to think that an earthquake was big enough to make the Earth's axis shimmy a bit.

Comments

[beam-oflight.livejournal.com]

O.o How many earth quakes till we get knocked so far out of orbit we spiral into the sun? :)

[eponymous-rose.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's really interesting! I remember having to do a presentation about how ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) has a similar effect - on a similar scale, if I'm remembering correctly.

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

That was really interesting, thanks!

[platoapproved.livejournal.com]

I had a dream about an earthquake last night, which (due to thesis coma) is even odder when you consider I hadn't heard there was an earthquake til I read this.

[cordeliadelayne]

I was reading about this earlier. Definitely a mix of very cool and O_o