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could a volcanic eruption alter the earths rotation?

  • 23-03-2008 11:02am
    #1
    Akrasia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,799 ✭✭✭✭


    Hypothetical question. If it was powerful enough, could a volcano change the rotation speed of the earth (or change the orbit)?

    Volcanoes look a lot like rockets, it seems as though they would exert a force equal and opposite the the upwards explosion and push the earth.


    (disclaimer: information provided here may be used for the construction of a dastardly doomsday device)


Comments

  • #2
    Sir Digby Chicken Caesar
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 23,556 ✭✭✭✭Sir Digby Chicken Caesar


    i think a big enough one could tilt it slightly on it's axis, but rotation or orbit... it'd probably have to eject half the core in a couple of minutes for that kind of effect.

    not that that wouldn't be fairly awesome to watch for the last few seconds of your life


  • #3
    Akrasia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,799 ✭✭✭✭Akrasia


    Mordeth wrote: »
    i think a big enough one could tilt it slightly on it's axis, but rotation or orbit... it'd probably have to eject half the core in a couple of minutes for that kind of effect.

    not that that wouldn't be fairly awesome to watch for the last few seconds of your life

    i wouldn't see it, I'd be safely ensconced in my underground lair...


  • #4
    Michael Collins
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 1,852 Mod ✭✭✭✭Michael Collins


    The tsunamigenic earthquake in the Indian Ocean back in 2004 caused the earh to wobble on its own axis a little, and permanetly altered the period of rotation of earth about this axis.The alteration will be compensated by the change that occurs on an annual basis anyway, due to tidal forces from the moon.

    The change in the length of the day that occured due to this wasn't the equal and opposite force from the earthquake but rather the changing of the shape of the earth (causing a reducation in its moment of inertia). So if the volcano spewed out enough lava, far enough away from the centre of the earth, it could well have an effect. But probably not large enough to notice under normal circumstances...


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