New Study Suggests Sun, Moon’s Gravity May Influence Slow Earthquakes

New Study Suggests Sun, Moon’s Gravity May Influence Slow Earthquakes
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A new scientific study has proposed a possible explanation for how the gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon may contribute to some slow earthquakes, in which geological faults gradually move and release energy over longer periods than conventional earthquakes.

Researchers explained that the tidal forces caused by the Sun and Moon affect not only oceans but also the Earth’s crust, creating very small stresses that may influence certain active faults.

Published in the journal JGR Solid Earth, the study used computer models to simulate fault movement and friction between tectonic plates to investigate how tidal forces could affect seismic activity.

The findings suggest that resonance may play a role, with the timing and duration of tidal stresses potentially matching a fault’s natural response and increasing the likelihood of gradual movement.

Scientists compared the process to pushing a swing at the right moment, where repeated small forces can produce a larger effect when synchronized with the system’s natural rhythm.

The researchers emphasized that tidal forces are not considered the direct or sole cause of earthquakes, but they may act as a triggering factor for some slow seismic events when their cycles align with the characteristics of specific faults.