During August 21, 2017, a large swath across the United States will experience a rare total solar eclipse.
Here’s the thing: The New-Madrid seismic zone is on the direct path of the eclipse. And if that wasn’t enough to get you thinking: The Yellowstone super volcano is also on path!
I began to wonder whether or not the increased gravitational pull of the sun and moon alignment will have any effects on the planet Earth.
Think about how the moon itself has tremendous gravitational pull: The tides!
It’s amazing when you think about the enormous power of the moon’s gravitational pull on earth. Think about the unfathomable weight of all the oceans water which rise and fall with each tide.
With that in mind, one wonders when the moon and the sun are perfectly aligned (the moon in front of the sun), will the combined gravitational forces be enough to cause some unusual circumstances on earth as the dark swath of the alignment (eclipse) passes over?
I recall years ago when I lived in California and was concerned about earthquakes, there was a particular geologist who insisted upon the moon’s potential effects on fault zonzes. I don’t recall his name, but he made valid and logical arguments.
When I happened to check where the total eclipse would be (to see whether or not I would be able to see it where I live), I happened to notice that it passes across the general area of the New-Madrid seismic fault zone and I also noticed that it crosses over the general Yellowstone region (given the numerous earthquakes there recently). This coupled with my recollection of that geologist has me wondering…
The New-Madrid seismic zone is known for the earthquakes of 1811- 1812 which registered four of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in North America.
The earthquakes are said to have been magnitude 8 range, and one of them possibly as high as magnitude 8.6.
Some even say that one of the earthquakes (February 7, 1812) was potentially a magnitude 9.0 or larger! It destroyed the town of New Madrid Missouri and rang church bells a thousand miles away in Boston and New York City!
The Yellowstone super volcano is among the seven most devastating volcanoes on the planet.
The apparent proximity of the total eclipse to Yellowstone is shown below.
Pretty doggone close! Will likely be on the very edge of corona.
The apparant and approximate eruption life-cycle is ~600,000 years (although some say that it’s longer).
That said, it has been approximately 640,000 years since a major eruption at Yellowstone.
How Bad Would A Yellowstone Eruption Be?
“Try to imagine a volcanic eruption 10,000 times stronger than Mount St. Helens – an eruption that would threaten our very survival.”
-Ash Coverage Depth in proximity (100’s of feet)
-Ash Coverage thousands of miles away (~half a foot)
-Sun blotted out
-Mini Ice Age
Okay, with that in mind, do I think anything like this is going to happen? No, most likely not. But you know what? Who knows, right? Seems like a logical and curious question to contemplate (for fun of course…).
NASA eclicpse website:
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEmono/TSE2017/TSE2017.html
Are you going to be near the path of total eclipse when it occurs?
A definite possibility. We are pretty safe here, but that is the time my husband has picked to go on vacation in those areas!
Yes, I live right smack dab in the middle of the area to see the eclipse best or so they say. To really get your wheels turnin read the eighth chapter of Amos from the Bible. I’m not preaching but I had this pointed out to me by a friend. Of course I live near the New Madrid fault-line and it has been active (very mild) and it makes you want to get supplies ready anyway.
Wow, there are dozens of ways Amos describes things that could happen in a Madrid Fault event. Interesting too is the fact that sunset of Aug. 21 marks the beginning of the new Hebrew month of Elul, which is interesting too.
Although we are not in the path of the upcoming eclipse, we will see the sun blotted out about 75%. I am considering scheduling a mini one day trip farther south to be able to see the full eclipse. I haven’t decided yet.
At first I was thinking “Interesting conspiracy theory.” Although it still sounds a bit farfetched, this is definitely an interesting observation. I am now glad I am not in that path, just in case.
Nope, not that close, but in the Lava Flow of the Yellowstone Volcano if she decides to blow again, and she will someday.
Interesting to add the increased activity at Yellowstone, Literally thousands of mini quakes going on, coincidence or a precursor to one heck of a show?
Something to note, if the New-Madrid rift opens up, the Mississippi will be forever rerouted…. Not so good for some I would bet.
I did have to laugh at my Mom, she noted that the Eclipse will be directly over Pot-Land “But the Snowflakes will never know with their heads in the sand” 95 years old and still coming up with stuff like that, GATA love it HAHAHAHA.
I think your mom and I would get along great. We think alike.
I am just far enough south of you to only get some ash dusting if Yellowstone blows.
Heres a link to a map showing the depth of ash that would be deposited from a Yellowstone volcano
eruption.
Texasprepper;
30-100 feet, cool, will be a bit much to rototill into the Garden, but think of the warming effect it will have when the 300 year winter hits…. 🙂
Hi NRP!
If I’m reading the link correctly – it’s measuring in mm (millimeters).
So 30 mm = 1 . 18 inches (25.4 mm to an inch)
100 mm = 3.94 inches
1000mm = 39.37 inches
If I’m wrong – correct me 😀
luv ya’ll, Beach’n
Beach’N
Yeppers your right, but mine’s more exciting 🙂
Guess I need a Mint Julep. HAHA
NRP, Wwwaaayyy more exciting!!!
Mint Juleps for all! Luv ya’ll, Beach’n
Just curious if I can reply to my own comment.
I took a look at major historical earthquakes and eclipses, and none appear to line up. Of the eruptions, three of those I checked seem to line up. Mt Kelut is 10 days before the 1919 eclipse but the path is halfway across the world. Same with Novarupta, 50 days after the 1912 eclipse, and Mt Pinatubo is 26 days before the 1991 eclipse. Mt Pinatubo is in the same general area but not on the path of the eclipse. Of the fifteen or so I checked, only those three were in the same year. I didn’t go back further than 1900 because there were a lot of assumptions before that. Maybe someone else has an interest in doing a more complete analysis.
A major eclipse in Iran occurred the same day of a solar eclipse that passed directly over head in the last 20 years or so.
To my knowledge, there is no correlation between a solar/lunar eclipse and natural disasters like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. It’s been scientifically proven that an extraterrestrial mass that stresses the earth are proportional to the gravitational field gradient and NOT to the gravitational field.
I’ve seen a total solar eclipse before (using one of those pinhole projectors for visual protection) and it was amazing. If you’re in the path and want to see it occur — PROTECT YOUR EYES CORRECTLY!
Last total eclipse that dh & I saw, was watched from our drive way 1996. We will stay home for this one also.
It is the hospital staff that I worry about, the fruit-loops come out to play and end up in the ER’s.
That,s the thing isn’t it?
Mother nature is unpredictable, especially when it comes to geologic stuff.
Theory, almost all scientific work is on theory, that means they really have no idea what will or could happen, just theories about probable outcomes.
Nailbanger, I definitely agree with your first statement. Nature can be very unpredictable, especially in the short term. However, a scientific theory is something that explains how something works or why it happens. Scientific laws describe probable outcomes. For example, a law of gravity is that if I drop a rock, it will fall. The theory deals with gravitational waves and fields and the why and how of masses being attracted to each other. Theories are refined as our knowledge increases. Theory doesn’t mean that we don’t know what will happen. Theory is our current understanding of why and how it happens.
I live 80 miles from San Francisco so already have that earthquake fault to think about.
@Modern throwback
You are very correct that the gradient of a gravitational field is what produces stress in the earths geologic formations but for that force to be significant enough to produce a large magnitude earthquake the external mass would have to be a black hole. So we have no worries about that cause and effect. With a black hole we would have more of a problem with spaghettification. I am curious how many readers know what a field gradient is?
I have been following Ben Davidson’s research about solar activity, earthquakes, earth changes and weather for a few years now. I found it very informative and will pass the link on here . . . Just one more reason to be prepared!
http://www.suspicious0bservers.org/
You beat me to it. Ben Davidson said the mini earthquakes at Yellowstone is a yearly happening.
They can almost predict where a large earthquake is going to happen, something like 80%.
Here’s an interesting article from National Geographic that discusses the effect of the moon and sun on Earthquakes.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/05/0523_050523_moonquake.html
I’m really disappointed to read your misleading information. Yellowstone National Park is NOT in the path of the total eclipse.
Source: http//www.eclipse2017.org/2017/path_through_the_US.htm#Wyoming
2nd source: http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/states/WY.htm
C’mon Ken, you’re better than this type of sensationalism.
@Anonymous, What would life be without a little dissapointment (grin).
I added a proximity image in the article above. Wow, as they say up here in New England, “That’s wicked close!…”
Or, “A wicked pissa.”
Now you’re talkin – just need the ‘Boston’ dialect…
The Butterfly Effect, sometimes can come right up and nip ya right in the tush at times when yar least expecting it, I wonder if something as insignificant as a little ole Eclipse can make my tomatoes ripe a little faster? or maybe set off Yellowstone?
Just thoughts to ponder as we go about our lives sitting here on the ‘Third Rock form the Sun’.
I often wonder what the Dinosaurs are thinking when that little 10 km in diameter trillion ton rock ruined their day?
Butterfly Effect.
First off Dinosaurs had brains the size of a green pea so eating and making little Dinosaurs was a max out. Second a trillion ton rock ain’t no butterfly and is the fat lady singing.
Ok ,Ok. Dinosaur – Snowflake same thing. .. LOLOL FYI That Butterfly was 1/4 the way across the universe. … Got ya.
I too will add a tangential comment;
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former”
Albert Einstein
Ha PERFECT !
The geologist who used tides, etc as a prediction model was Jim Berkland, I believe.
That’s it! Jim Berkland… Wonder if he’s still around.
Ken, he is in the article from National Geographic that I posted the link to….
We live within “striking distance” of the Yellowstone Caldera. IF, it goes, not much we can (or will) do about it.. If not, we have great fun watching all the collective hand-wringing of those who know absolutely zip about seismic activity in reality.
I am more concerned for our grandkids living within spittin’ distance of the New Madrid Fault. That one will go long before Jellystone and Yogi decide to check out. Glad we are out of our native state of California, while I miss my home grounds in NorCal, I don’t miss the politicians, Crush of Humanity, and the Free-Stuff-Army-of-Entitlements.
So let’s hang on and speculate wildly, while watching the Eclipse and waiting for the Pagans among us to start the Vestal Virgin Sacrifices.
Sorry, the virgins are all promised to the suicide bombers.
hermit us,
You’re baaad! You made me “snork” laugh.
luv ya’ll, Beach’n
Please! New Madrid/Yellowstone moon alignment?! This sounds like a plot for a bad SciFi Channel made-for-TV movie. This sounds real similar to the aluminum foil hat-wearing loons who blamed the 03/2011 Japan earthquake on HAARP. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go rescue the neighbor lady. She is being dragged into a flying saucer by a bunch of little gray men with large eyes and no mouths.
HEY!!!! don’t you go picking on me Tin Foil Hat….. it’s saved me from a many alian abductions,
Not saying a thing about the aliens throwing back the rejects.
Hermit us
Alien Reject? now that’s exactly why I fit in so well around here… A LOT of like minded people.HAHAHAHA
The eclipse causing volcanic activity and earthquakes? ROFLMAO
I know! It’s pretty funny isn’t it?! Who knew?
Until it isn’t
Exactly.
Sorry I brought this subject up a few threads back. Didn’t know how many experts there were on the subject. Are they taking into account planet-X’s hidden orbit? (just kidding)
Not only Planet X how about Y and Z???? 🙂 ya dont want to be leaving anyone out ya know?
Now yer tinfoil hats gettin too tight old timer, best loosen that thing a bit, or take a couple layers off, it may be attracting fm radio waves
Nailbanger
Now don’t ya go picking on me Tin-Foil-Hat, this design has been handed down for many MANY generations of NRP’s.
Hey Ken. Guess ya got picked on a bit on this un huh? Still a LOT better than my upcoming article on “The best five brands of Toilet Paper and the 10 moct comon Uses” LOLOL
Boy-O-Boy are people going to be surprised 🙂
Picked on? Not at all… Not how I take it anyway. Some simply get upset if the driver takes a bumpy back road once in awhile. I do enjoy the occasional change of scenerey.
On my 0-10 concern list, I rate this nonsense about a .02. Must be a slow news day…
Today around 3:30 PST
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said Monday evening that a magnitude 7.8 earthquake had occurred off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
“Based on preliminary earthquake parameters… hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 km (186 miles) of the earthquake epicenter,” the center wrote in an official message.
Tsunami waves, however, were unlikely to reach Kamchatka’s eastern coast, some 500 km (310 miles) away.
The quake was followed by several aftershocks, including a couple above magnitude 5.0.
The earthquake was originally reported as a 7.4 magnitude, but it was subsequently upgraded to 7.8.
On Twitter, the center confirmed that it was not expecting tsunami conditions to impact North American coasts.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Isn’t the cascadeia subduction zone also somewhat in the path of the eclipse?Also some of the volcanoes in western Washington?God!I hope no volcanoes,already got that once.Anyway,should be able to see it good here in north Idaho.
The Cascadia Subduction Zone by itself is a major time bomb waiting to devastate the Pacific Northwest!
Ken, maybe this will give you a little push back.
I googled “can a solar eclipse trigger an earth quake?”
This yielded an article from sciencenotes.com which stated the answer is yes, it brings on a 3X greater chance, but since the chances of an eathquake on any given day is so small that tripling that number still denotes a small chance.
So there you have it, a New Madrid earthquake is three times more likely on August 21, 2017 compared to the average threat. Tell the critics to back off.
Hows all those quakes on the edges o the pacific plate today,,, wonder if its just a beginning?
The Mt St. Helens volcano dumped a bit of ash on us – I think it helped the garden. Maybe a bit more next time?
The most viewed show, it has been a long time since so many people have focused in the same direction at the same time, it will be a long time before it happens again. Only time will tell if anything or anyone takes advantage of such a rare moment. The moon is drifting away from us, at about the same speed our fingernails grow, in the past the moon looked larger and in the future will appear smaller, the perfect correlation to distance and size that creates the majestic eclipse depicts a time, a single moment, and that time is about now. (for a persons lifetime that might be a long moment, but in the lifetime of our solar system the now is quite precise..)
For most of our history earth travelling through the moons shadow would create fear, now we do so with understanding and awe, I hope one day we will do so in peace.
I am living in the path of the eclipse and have already noticed that people have booked up local lodging in order to be a tourist living and observing the path of the eclipse. I know of a few people at work who are trying to rent out their homes on AirBnB in order to gain some extra income. To NRP, I believe your mom is about an hour north of the path of the eclipse.
I do not know if this will bring about natural disasters butt I am well aware that it will bring a crush of humanity to many areas of Oregon that are not equipped to deal with tourism in such large numbers.
Bring your own toilet paper and sani-wipes if you go to an area in the path that day. As for me, I will be at work and my home will be stocked with supplies to include charcoal, beer, wine and soda not to mention meat to burn over the charcoal.
The chances of something happening due to the solar eclipse is directly proportional to Congress passing a good health care plan. But you never know.
Interestingly, in 7 years in 2024, another total eclipse happens in the southwest to the northwest, making a big X overthe US. The meeting point is in souther Illinois in anarea known as little Eygpt near Cairo!
Randy, missed some spelling and did”t post my name.
Speaking of the eclipse,
In California alone,
The net loss of comercial solar power during the eclipse is estimated to be around 3500 megawatts.
At the same time, demand on the system from loss of power on home and other “behind the meter” systems is estimated at around 3000 megawatts.
So the rapidly changing difference between load and generation will be around 6500 MEGAWATTS…
That’s about the same as 6 large nuclear stations, having to come on line to full power, and then back-off again, all within about 20 minutes….
I could be interesting.
Blessings.
We are in one of Very Best places for the eclipse!!! I am looking forward to the experience what ever that might be. Have a back road cross road in mind where there are no security lights. Lets suppose that the eclipse is a safety valve for all of the negativity in our country and the world. The bad thoughts could just go into outer space for the powers that be to deal with. Would probably keep away the aliens too! LOL
Mrs. USMCBG
I like your thinking…..
It gets even creeper; Rosh Chodesh (Jewish New Moon for the month of Elul) is on the same day @ sundown
Remember the scalding hot springs that heated up and fried 2 dogs and a man a few years ago in Idaho?? The Yellowstone magma chamber extends west/ southwest from the National Park and is MUCH bigger than previously thought. The total eclipse DOES shadow the magma chamber in Idaho…. just saying.
Yes, I am a geologist…and chemist
San Juan Geology
Theres another eclipse in 7 years…. oh boy.