Super Moon Causes Big Earthquakes At Equator

A picture of the Earth with an earthquake crack going down the USA and S America

2013 Super Moon created large earthquakes at the equator.

This year’s Super Moon did cause large earthquakes to occur at the equator.  On June 23, 2013 when the Moon was the very closest to our Earth, Papua New Guinea and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge both began to move. The earthquakes were on opposite sides of the Earth, but both were close to the equator where the Earth bulges.

Chain of Super Moon Quakes

June 23, 2013

The USGS small globe showing the June 2013 earthquake in Papua New Guinea

Super Moon quakes at Papua New Guinea – USGS

 

4.7 Papua New Guinea

5.0 Papua New Guinea

5.2 Costa Rica (same latitude as Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

5.0 Mid-Atlantic Ridge

 

The USGS small globe showing the June 2013 earthquake at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Super Moon quakes at Mid-Atlantic Ridge – USGS

June 24, 2013

5.5 Papua New Guinea

4.7 Papua New Guinea

4.7 Papua New Guinea

5.5 Papua New Guinea

6.6 Mid-Atlantic Ridge (downgraded to 6.4)

More Quakes Shake The Equator

The nearer and larger any mass is to the Earth, the more influence it has on the Earth.  We all know that the Moon influences our tides, so you can appreciate the fact that the Super Moon influences our equator’s watery bulge.

The Super Moon effects the Earth for more than just one day – the Moon is actually close to the Earth for about 4 months. On June 23, the Moon was at its CLOSEST, but it will still be very close to the Earth for another couple of months.

This means that the Moon will still have a great effect on the tides and on the equator.

So, monitor USGS earthquake alerts for more quakes to shake the equator.

 

 

Look Out For The Super Moon June 22 and 23, 2013

A photo of a Super moon.

A Super Moon

Don’t miss the biggest, brightest Moon of 2013. On June 22 and 23, the Moon will be closer to the Earth than at any other time during the year. This upcoming Super Moon will be the closest encounter between the Earth and the Moon until August 2014.

Super Moons

This June 2013 Super Moon will occur when the Moon reaches its closest distance to the Earth at exactly 7:32 am EST (4:32 am PST) on June 23, but because it will be peaking in the early morning hours, on both June 22 and June 23 you will be able to see a larger and brighter than normal Super Moon – about 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical Full Moon.

Super Moons are the result of the Moon’s orbit reaching perigee, which is the closest point that it gets to the Earth during its orbit. During perigee on June 22-23, the Moon will be about 221,824 miles from Earth, as compared to the 252,581 miles away at its furthest distance from the Earth (apogee). The Moon will actually be at apogee two weeks after the Super Moon, on July 7.

High Tides And Earthquakes

Super Moons create stronger tides that are a few inches higher than Full Moon tides. If powerful storm systems are occurring during these two days, significant flooding is a possibility. Because the Moon influences both oceanic and crustal tides, it is also a possibility that this Super Moon could increase earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. At the very least, keep your feet on the ground and your eyes to the sky. Don’t miss this incredible Moon event.