Japan's 8.9-magnituade quake shifted the Earth's axis
Japan's main island appears to have moved by 8 feet or 2.4 meters. "At this point, we know that one GPS station moved (8 feet), and we have seen a map from GSI (Geospatial Information Authority) in Japan showing the pattern of shift over a large area is consistent with about that much shift of the land mass," said Kenneth Hudnut, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The 8.9 magnitude quake was the biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years and it was followed by a 20 meter high tsunami and even cause tsunamis in as far as the United States. Tsunami warning had been raised and was experience in 50 countries and territories. The quake also triggered more than 160 aftershocks within 24 hours ranging from 5.0 magnitude and above.
A shifting in the Earth's axis may cause possible changes in weather patterns and create atmospheric disturbances.
