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On the Correlation between Earthquake Occurrence and Disturbances in the Path of the Rotation Pole

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2016

Michael A. Chinnery  and
Fred J. Wells
Michael A. Chinnery
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
Fred J. Wells
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

Abstract

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The hypothesis that earthquakes may be the principal excitation of the Chandler motion of the rotation pole is examined in the light of recent theoretical and observational developments. There is some doubt about the amount of excitation by a large earthquake necessary to maintain the Chandler Wobble, but it appears to be about 10 ft. Theoretical calculations for the Alaskan Earthquake (M = 8½) give available excitations in the range 1–5 ft, but there are considerable uncertainties in these calculations. Earthquakes may be able to provide all of the required excitation, or only a small portion (10% or less). The problem is confused by observational studies, which show differences between various sets of data on polar motion which seem to be larger than the expected error in each set. The earthquake hypothesis, though reasonable, is still very much open to debate.

Type
Research Article
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 48: Rotation of the Earth , 1972 , pp. 215 - 220
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1972 

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