MOON INFORMATION- 2006

Before you see the charts, you need to know what they mean:

The full moon has been linked to crime, suicide, mental illness, disasters, accidents,  birthrates, fertility, and werewolves, among other things.

James O. Berkland is a Glen Ellen, California-based geologist and editor of Syzygy—An Earthquake Newsletter. He believes the gravitational tugs of the moon, sun, and other planets can influence earthquake activity. Berkland said he has accurately predicted tremors based on factors such as syzygy.

"Syzygy" refers to the alignment of three celestial objects. Syzygy of the sun, Earth, and moon occur twice a month, at the full and new moons. At such times, gravitational forces are at a maximum, especially when the bodies are close together, Berkland said.

The Earth and moon are closest together—at perigee—once a month. The Earth and sun are closest together—at perihelion—once a year. Perihelion currently occurs in early January. Maximum gravitation force occurs when a syzygy and perigee occur on the same day as perihelion.

According to Berkland, seismometers left on the moon by Apollo astronauts show that moonquakes occur most frequently at perigee.

At least two major quakes may support Berkland's theory. The December 26, 2004, magnitude 9.1 in Sumatra, Indonesia, occurred on the day of a full moon. Likewise, the March 27, 1964, magnitude 9.2 earthquake in Alaska occurred on the day of maximum high tide.

According to Berkland, such correlations are more than coincidences. They demonstrate a true connection between the moon and earthquake activity, he said.

Observations made by those who deal with large numbers of people, record an increase in unusual or eccentric behaviour, and police report an increase in all forms of crime at the time of a full moon, in particular, crimes of violence. Traffic accidents too, are alleged to become more frequent, and doctors and nurses in mental hospitals testify to an increased restiveness among their patients at the time of the full moon. Even some psychiatrists have subscribed privately to the notion of 'moon-madness'.

Scientific studies also seem to confirm the probability of adverse lunar influence on the activities of man. A study of homicides in Dade County, Florida, for example, shows that a disproportionate number of homicides occurred during the 24-hour period before and after the full moon. Another, in 1982, showed that the same disproportionate number of traffic accidents occurred during the night hours of the three day periods of the new moon and the full moon. Others have come to the same conclusion after examining the relationship between the phases of the moon and aggressiveness, and have also reported increased rates of suicide.

Another study claimed that a disproportionate number of traffic accidents occurred during the night hours of the three-day periods of the new moon and the full moon. However, it was noted that a large number of these nights fell on weekends, which suggested an alternative correlation that more accidents occur on weekends than on weekdays.