Full Moons Trigger Bigger Eathquakes

Earthquakes are devastating things.  We saw how they ravaged the historic villages in Italy.  We hear about their frequency in Oklahoma and we all fear the big one predicted for the Pacific Northwest. Now there's growing evidence that a full moon can trigger big earthquakes.

A new Japanese study shows that large earthquakes are more likely during unusually high tides, which occur during full and new moons.

High tides, typically occur twice a day. They're caused when ocean water is moved by the gravitational pull of the moon. But twice a month, during a full or new moon, these so-called “spring tides” are especially high because the moon, earth and sun all line up together.

USA Today says big earthquakes can occur when the additional weight of tidal water strains geological faults. While this is not a new theory, it is the first study to show a statistical link between the moon, tides and quakes. Additionally, the research team found that nine of the 12 biggest quakes on record happened near or on days with full or new moons.

Werewolves move over, quakes are frighteningly the king when the moon is full!