Astrophysical Cause of Tectonics

Abstract

Tectonic earthquakes, of Mw (6 ± 5%)+, are found forming a strengthening-peaking-waning pattern distinguishable from respectively quiescent times so well that the pattern means discovery of a universal natural mechanism that necessitates expanding on classical physics. The pattern is seen only during Earth’s alignments to two other heavenly bodies in our solar system lasting for more than 3 days. This empirical proof of astrophysical origins of seismotectonics is immediately obvious and verifiable. The find is consequential due to sheer size of processes and energies involved in defining the pattern that now enables all-or-nothing negative forecasting by foretelling dates without strong quakes. Near co-planarity of a solar system’s planets, which is for our solar system typically regarded an oddity, is in fact a necessary condition for active geophysics as a life system.