Challenging the Buddhist Explanation of Earthquakes: A Scientific Perspective (Part 1)

In Buddhist teachings, we encounter a fascinating explanation of the causes of earthquakes. The Buddha, speaking to Ananda, offers the following view: "This great earth, Ananda, is established upon liquid, the liquid upon the atmosphere, and the atmosphere upon space. And when, Ananda, mighty atmospheric disturbances take place, the liquid is agitated. And with the agitation of the liquid, tremors of the earth arise. This is the first reason, the first cause for the arising of mighty earthquakes." At first glance, this description seems to present a rational cause-and-effect explanation, suggesting that atmospheric disturbances, in turn, cause earthquakes by agitating the liquid (presumably water) that supports the earth. However, when we consider modern scientific understanding of earthquakes, this explanation falls short of addressing the complexity of natural phenomena. Let’s dive into the scientific facts that challenge this view. WHAT REALLY CAUSES EARTHQUAKES? Earthquakes occur as a result of the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates. The Earth’s outer layer is made up of large plates that float on a layer of semi-molten rock beneath them. These plates are constantly in motion, driven by forces deep within the Earth. When two plates interact—whether by colliding, sliding past one another, or pulling apart—pressure builds up along faults, or cracks in the Earth's crust. Eventually, this pressure is released in the form of seismic waves, causing the ground to shake and resulting in what we feel as an earthquake. This process of tectonic movement, known as plate tectonics, is the primary cause of most earthquakes. These movements happen deep within the Earth’s crust, far beyond the reach of atmospheric disturbances or the liquid layers that the Buddhist explanation suggests. ATMOSPHERIC AND LIQUID EFFECTS: The Buddhist explanation links earthquakes to atmospheric disturbances, which supposedly agitate the liquid supporting the Earth. While weather systems and atmospheric conditions can influence the Earth’s surface in various ways, such as causing erosion or affecting pressure, they do not have the power to trigger large-scale earthquakes. The Earth’s oceans and other liquid bodies do exert some pressure on the Earth’s surface, but this pressure is not significant enough to cause earthquakes. In fact, earthquakes require far more energy than what is typically generated by atmospheric changes or liquid movement on the surface. The real cause of earthquakes lies in the deep geological forces beneath our feet, where the Earth’s crust is under stress from the movement of tectonic plates. THE REAL DRIVERS OF SEISMIC ACTIVITY: Most earthquakes are caused by the interaction of tectonic plates at fault lines. These are regions where plates meet, and where immense pressure can accumulate over time. When this pressure finally releases, it results in an earthquake. This process is a natural part of the Earth’s ongoing geological activity, driven by forces deep within the planet. Although there are other causes of tremors, such as volcanic eruptions or human activities like mining and drilling, the primary cause remains the movement of tectonic plates. These movements are slow but constant, and they are responsible for the majority of the seismic activity we experience. A MORE ACCURATE UNDERSTANDING OF EARTHQUAKES: The scientific understanding of earthquakes is rooted in the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how the movement of the Earth’s crust causes the release of energy that we feel as shaking. This view provides a much clearer picture of why earthquakes occur, focusing on the deep geological processes that take place beneath the Earth's surface. The atmospheric and liquid disturbances mentioned in the Buddhist explanation don’t have the necessary force or influence to cause earthquakes either. Instead, it’s the massive, often invisible movements of tectonic plates that are the true driving forces behind seismic events. CONCLUSION: RETHINKING THE BUDDHA’S EXPLANATION OF EARTHQUAKES: While the Buddha’s explanation of earthquakes is thought-provoking, it doesn’t align with modern scientific understanding. The idea that earthquakes arise from atmospheric disturbances and liquid agitation overlooks the far more powerful forces at work beneath the Earth’s surface—tectonic plate movements. Science has shown that earthquakes are caused by the movement of these plates, a process supported by extensive evidence. This discrepancy raises important questions: If the Buddha’s view of natural phenomena doesn’t match the reality we observe, can we fully trust his teachings about the physical world? While his spiritual insights remain valuable to many, his explanation of earthquakes fails to reflect the true causes, encouraging us to question the reliability of ancient wisdom when it comes to scientific matters. By integrating scientific knowledge, we gain a more accurate understanding of the world, prompting us to reconsider the completeness of the Buddha’s views on nature.