The interweb is flush with rumours that this month's 'supermoon' - a full moon coinciding with the moon's closest approach to earth - will bring earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods. On March 19, the moon will be 221,567 miles from Earth - the closest it's been since 1992. It could appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than usual. But will this cause mayhem on the planet? Has it already caused this devastating earthquake? Not a chance say the experts. The Bad Astronomy blog, which debunks scientific misconceptions, completely rejects any link between the SuperMoon and the Japan quake. Author Phil Plait, an astronomer, states emphatically:
"I do hope I can help mitigate the panic and worry that can happen due to people blaming this earthquake on the so-called "supermoon" -- a date when the Moon is especially close to the Earth at the same time it's full. So let me be extremely clear:
Despite what a lot of people are saying, there is no way this earthquake was caused by the Moon.
The idea of the Moon affecting us on Earth isn't total nonsense, but it cannot be behind this earthquake, and almost certainly won't have any actual, measurable affect on us on March 19, when the full Moon is at its closest."
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