Alfred University News

March 17 Bergren Forum: the size, shape and rotation of Earth

Alfred University Professor Emeritus of Geology Otto Muller will deliver the March 17 Bergren Forum Thursday, March 17. His title: "Some Interesting Points about the Size, Shape and Rotation of the Earth."


Alfred University Professor Emeritus of Geology Otto Muller will deliver the March 17 Bergren Forum Thursday, March 17. His title: "Some Interesting Points about the Size, Shape and Rotation of the Earth."

Muller writes: “When did we first learn that the Earth was round? How has our knowledge of its size and shape changed over time?   What point on the Earth's surface is the furthest from the center of the Earth?  (Hint: it isn't the top of Mt. Everest.)  After a big earthquake the earth "rings like a bell.”  What does that mean, and how do we know it?  Is the rotation rate of the Earth changing?  Why do most coasts have two high tides a day, when the Moon can only be above them once a day?  What is that crazy Figure 8 that we see on old globes, and what does it tell us?”

The Bergren Forum weekly lecture series is held at 12:10 p.m. Thursdays and is currently carried on the Zoom platform. The Zoom link for Bergren forums may be obtained by e-mailing Marilyn Saxton.