It's absolutely the first thing I thought , when I heard of the earthquake and tsunami throughout the northeast coast of Japan - Super Moon!
What is going on with all these extreme weathers around the globe? Do you think the quakes, Tsunami in Japan, Hawaii eruption of volcano in Philippians have anything to do with The Super Moon?
There seems to be a growing excitement about the “Super moon” that is due on 19 March 2011; Lots of debates and discussions are going on. I am not a subject specialist or a geologist capable for the scientific explanations but rather we will try to understand what is going on. According to NASA, Super moon is a situation when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon, So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent .Astrology:
Astrologists (not astronomers) predict that on March 19, when the moon will be a short distance from Earth, cause unpredictable events on Earth. Such as deadly earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and massive tidal waves could cause major destruction. They are relating the Super Moons in 1955, 1974, 1992 and 2005. Past super moons have coincided with natural disasters—I think no one can forget the Indonesian earthquake in 2005 with most death toll estimates at around 170000 and the Australian flooding in 1954. Now, with Super Moon a week away, we have this morning's devastating quake and tsunami in Japan. And an earthquake with a 4.2 magnitude hit Hawaii overnight and the eruption of a volcano in the Philippines. What else you want to trigger the panic.
Science:The moon does obviously have an influence on the Earth. Gravitational power of the moon causes ocean’s to get pulled toward the moon. This creates a high tide on one side and as a result a negative force will lifts the ocean away from the planet on the other side. So a closer moon can makes stronger tide. Make sense? Yes it is. The tides will pull a bit higher, but earthquakes are almost completely unaffected and volcanoes are not likely to show unusual behavior.
But wait, it is not a stupid thought by the astrologer, there are some scientific points also to consider. In fact scientists have studied these scenarios too. Those areas where two lithospheric plates come together (Subduction zones) are usually earthquake zones like the Pacific Northwest, where one tectonic plate is sliding under another. According to William Wilcock, seismologist at the University of Washington, “When you have a low tide, there’s less water, so the pressure on the seafloor is smaller. That pressure is clamping the fault together, so when it’s not there, it makes it easier for the fault to slip.” So the idea isn’t a crazy one. But he hasn't observed any correlations between earthquake activity and especially low tides at new and full moons. Most natural disasters have nothing to do with the moon at all.But what about extreme weather during past Super Moons?
What happens on Super Moon day?
So here’s the deal. The Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical orbit, i.e. it is not perfectly circular ( that is why super moon is not happening every year!), and so in each orbit there is a closest approach, called “perigee” and a furthest approach, called “apogee”. At perigee (closest point) it can be as close as 354,000 km (220,000 miles). At apogee, it can be as far as 410,000 km (254,000 miles). At this month’s perigee the Moon will be 356,577km away from Earth, and will indeed be at its closest (100% closer) in almost 19 years! Wow! So what will this mean to you? Nothing at all! The Moon will be a few percent bigger and shiner in the sky, but your eye won’t really be able to tell the difference.
So these are just rumors spread by Astrologers and Horoscope experts as part of their business. It has nothing to do with science. Astronomers and Meteorologists say that March 19 would be a normal day. There could be some extra tidal waves due to the extra gravitational forces and if there are natural disasters, it has nothing to do with Super moon. So go outside this weekend, look up at the large full Moon and witness one of the natural phenomena which happen rarely. I will be out there.