Last week’s earthquake off the coast of Japan measured 9.0 magnitude, which makes it the fourth most powerful earthquake on record worldwide. Earth’s poles shifted by more than 3 inches, Japan moved 12-13 feet closer to Hawaii, and the earth’s day is now 1.8 microseconds shorter. Like last year’s 8.8 magnitude quake in Chile, this event is responsible for more than just major damage to human infrastructure – the shape and movement of the Earth itself has been altered. For more on how an earthquake can change the geologic course of history, we speak to Arthur Lerner-Lam, Doherty Senior Research Scientist and associate director of seismology geology and tectonophysics at the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Robert Hernan, author of “This Borrowed Earth: Lessons from the Fifteen Worst Environmental Disasters Around the World” helps contextualize the quake.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.