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Tue, March 4, 2025

How heat from the sun plays a role in seismic activity on Earth


Published on 2025-03-04 22:02:37 - MSN
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  • Tectonic plates move, causing strain energy to build up, and that energy eventually releases in the form of an earthquake. As for forecasting them, however, there's still much to learn in order to evacuate cities before catastrophes like the 2011 magnitude 9.

The article from MSN discusses how solar heat influences seismic activity on Earth, particularly through a phenomenon known as "solar forcing." It explains that variations in solar radiation can affect the Earth's climate, which in turn impacts the planet's crustal stress. Research indicates that there might be a correlation between solar activity, like sunspots and solar flares, and an increase in seismic events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This connection is thought to occur because changes in solar radiation can alter atmospheric temperatures, which then influence the pressure on tectonic plates. For instance, warmer temperatures can cause the ground to expand, potentially leading to increased stress on fault lines. The article also mentions studies that have observed patterns where seismic activity peaks during times of high solar activity, although the exact mechanisms and the extent of this influence are still subjects of ongoing research.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/earth-science/how-heat-from-the-sun-plays-a-role-in-seismic-activity-on-earth/ar-AA1AexZj ]
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