Correlation between lunar node tide and great earthquakes*
Yin Dong-Shan 1, Gao Yu-Ping 1, and Hui Hu 2
1. National Time Service Center under Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xian, 710600, P.R.China.;
2. Yunnan Observatory, Chinese Academy of Science, Kunming 650011, P.R. China.
Abstract:
This study selects six consecutive 18.6 years of global M ≥ 7.0 earthquakes, calculates the lunar declination angle based on the time of the earthquakes, and divides the global earthquakes into 13 research regions according to the global plate distribution facts to explore the lunar influence of earthquakes. The relationship between the lunar declination angle and these earthquakes is analyzed. The analysis results show that when the moon advances to a certain interval of its declination angle, the earthquakes are concentrated in a certain research region, whereas other research regions are relatively calm, providing a scientifi c basis for medium and long-term earthquake predictions in each research region. The 18.6-year cycle is the lunar declination angle change cycle, and it is also the major nutation cycle of the earth’s motion and lunar node movement cycle. This is, in reality, the effect of the lunar node tide, which is worthy of further study.