An earthquake is the result of the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates. When one plate slides beneath another or two plates collide at fault zones, an earthquake occurs. The causes of earthquakes can vary. One possible cause—at least to some extent—can be the influence of celestial bodies such as the planets of the Solar System and the Moon. This article explores how some earthquakes might be related to the Moon’s influence.
The Moon orbits the Earth under the influence of Earth’s gravity. As it moves, it creates tidal forces that lead to tidal phenomena on Earth. These tides not only affect the oceans but also exert pressure on Earth’s mantle and crust, which can sometimes trigger earthquakes.
According to research, a number of strong earthquakes on Earth’s surface occurred when the Moon was at its closest or farthest distance from Earth. The closest distance between the Earth and the Moon ranges from 356,000 to 363,000 km, and the farthest distance ranges from 404,000 to 406,000 km. During these times, the Earth exerts more gravitational effort to keep the Moon in orbit. This increased gravitational stress affects the Earth’s crust, potentially causing earthquakes. Typically, such moon- or planet-induced earthquakes occur at relatively shallow depths (10–11 km).
Today, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6 struck both Tajikistan and Myanmar, with epicenters at a depth of no more than 10 km. This suggests that these tremors were not of internal but external origin. A powerful earthquake that occurred on March 28, 2025, in Myanmar with a magnitude of 7.7 happened when the Moon was at a close distance of 358,000 km from Earth.
Currently, the Moon is about 406,000 km from Earth. Additionally, the planets Mercury and Venus are aligned with Earth and are at their closest distances, which could also contribute to seismic activity.
Another supporting fact: three major earthquakes in Turkey—on February 6, 2023, August 27, 1999, and November 12, 1999—all occurred when the Moon was at its farthest distance from Earth, approximately 406,000 km.
