Re: [Phys-l] Quakes and wobbles

[Bernard Cleyet <bernardcleyet@redshift.com>]

Since this is ~ seven hours old, I'll make a stab -- the torque due to the sun and moon is possible only because the earth is not a perfect homogenous sphere.  The Equatorial bulge is the necessary feature -- so if the bulge changes, yes?  OTOH, I suspect the Chilean quake wouldn't make enuff change to be detected from that reason????


bc




On 2010, Mar 03, , at 08:10, Josh Gates wrote:

> There's been a lot of press about the Earth's axis changing and the day 
> length changing. I'm fine with the day length changing as some crust is 
> subducted - figure skaters and all...
>
> The axis, however: it can't change except due to an external torque, 
> yes? There's some nutation from the sun and moon, but as for this effect 
> (and the Chandler wobble) - am I right that it's a _relative_ change in 
> the axis (relative to the land, which is non-rigid and floating on 
> squishy Earth-innards), and not a change relative to the fixed stars?
>
> Josh
>
> -- 
> Joshua Gates
>
> Physics Faculty
> Tatnall School – Wilmington DE
> Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
>
>
>
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