Counterbalancing the tilt of earth

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    Earth Tilt
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of the Three Gorges Dam on the Earth's axial tilt and pole position, specifically whether constructing another dam in a diametrically opposite location could counterbalance these effects. The scope includes theoretical implications of gravity, rotation, and spatial orientation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Harsha questions if the tilt or shift in the Earth's pole caused by the Three Gorges Dam can be counterbalanced by another dam constructed in the opposite direction.
  • Some participants reference a NASA study indicating that the Three Gorges Dam affects Earth's rotation by a minuscule amount, specifically 60 billionths of a second per rotation.
  • It is noted that the effects of large earthquakes on Earth's rotation are significantly larger than those caused by the Three Gorges Dam.
  • Harsha emphasizes the need for a precise answer regarding the counterbalancing effect of another dam, regardless of the hypothetical nature of the situation.
  • One participant challenges the notion that directions like North and South are meaningless in space, arguing that rotation involves continual acceleration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the significance of the effects caused by the Three Gorges Dam and the validity of spatial orientation concepts, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus on the main question posed by Harsha.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the effects of large structures on Earth's rotation and tilt, as well as the definitions of spatial orientation in the context of rotation.

infoharsha23
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Hello,

Recent NASA study has shown that the construction of Three Gorges Dam in China has contributed to shift in the pole thus increase in the tilt of the axis of rotation. Now my doubt is, can this tilt or shift in pole be restored by constructing another similar dam in diametrically opposite direction of Three Gorges?

Some important things related to planet needs to be considered:

1. All objects on the planet are subjected to Newtonian Gravity directed towards center of earth.

2. Earth is rotating and not stationary

3. Directions, North and South are meaningless in space

I hope some expert would give the best answer for the counterbalancing of the tilt and shift in pole axis.

Advance thanks,

Harsha
 
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The NASA scientists Chao and Gross calculated that the filling of the Three Gorges Dam would affect the rotation, not the tilt, of the Earth by 60 billionths of a second per rotation.

They also calculated that the Sumatra earthquake sped up the planet by a few millionths of a second. That's a 1000x larger effect. And motions within the molten core of the planet can change the rotation by thousandths of a second.
 
Why?

The change is incredibly small, too small to be measurable. It is a calculated result. The changes in the Earth's rotation rate and rotation axis due to large (very large) earthquakes are much bigger than those caused by the Three Gorges Dam -- and those earthquake-induced changes are also calculated rather than measured changes.
 
Fine, in fact the same study has said that the Three Gorges Dam has caused a shift in pole by 0.8 inch.

Even going by hypothetical case, that the Three Gorges Dam has tilted or shifted the pole, can it be counterbalanced by another dam in diametrically opposite location to Three Gorges Dam, please I need this answer precisely.

Advance thanks

Harsha
 
infoharsha23 said:
Fine, in fact the same study has said that the Three Gorges Dam has caused a shift in pole by 0.8 inch.

Reference, please?
 
North and South are not meaningless in space. Though linear constant velocity is relative, rotation is not. That is because a rotating object is continually undergoing acceleration.
 

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