One of the questions that is often asked when arguing that the theory of plate tectonics is incorrect is: "What about earthquakes?" It seems that tectonics provides a satisfying explanation for earthquakes, with its theory that earthquakes are caused by the collision of tectonic plates along fault lines.

However, as we have already discussed, there are significant problems with the tectonic theory, many of which are resolved under the hydroplate theory of Dr. Walt Brown. On the other hand, the hydroplate explains the geological phenomena as well or better than the tectonic theory -- including its explanation for earthquakes. As explained in a previous post, the hydroplate theory proposes that earthquakes are primarily caused by shifting rather than drifting, and that shifting involves a reduction of imbalances created during the cataclysmic global flood event.

In his 7th edition of In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood, Dr. Brown wrote:

The distinction between drifting and shifting is subtle but important. A box drifts on the sea, but a box shifts in the back of a truck. [. . .] The plate tectonic theory says continents steadily drift. The hydroplate theory says crustal plates drifted rapidly but briefly on a layer of high-pressure water near the end of the flood. This drifting produced imbalances. Since then, these and other imbalances caused by the flood sporadically shift continents and everything below.
[. . .]
Almost 90% of all earthquake energy is released under trenches. Earthquakes often occur near sloping planes, called Benioff zones, that intersect a trench. These earthquake zones enter the mantle at 35o – 65o angles below the horizontal and extend to depths of about 420 miles. 121-122.

Thus, the hydroplate theory posits that earthquakes are caused by the rearrangement of sections of the earth into positions of lower potential energy, creating a more compact and efficient arrangement. Dr. Brown explains that this action will tend to create a more compact earth. He uses the illustration of a figure skater to explain the principles whereby earthquakes can increase the spin rate of the earth:

A spinning body, such as a figure skater or the earth, spins faster if it suddenly becomes more compact about its spin axis. This skater starts a spin with outstretched arms. Then, as she pulls her arms in near her spin axis, she spins so fast she becomes a blur.
Gravity tries to make the earth as compact and round as possible. Earthquakes cause the earth to become more compact and spin slightly faster. 122.

The video above of figure skater Natalia Kanounnikova illustrates this principle.

Dr. Brown's explanation was published in 2001. The recent tragic earthquake in Japan appears to confirm this theory, in that scientists have told us that the earthquake has redistributed the earth's mass in such a way that the rate of rotation has increased, shortening each day by 1.8 microseconds (each microsecond is equal to one millionth of a second).

The fact that the earth's rotation speed increased is consistent with Walt Brown's predictions in the hydroplate theory -- as the "boxes" in the truck shift to positions of lower potential energy, or "settle," they have the effect of "tightening" the ball of the earth so that it spins faster. The result was in perfect accord with the figure skater imagery that he used in the 2001 edition of his text.

Note also that the massive earthquake was centered very close to a point where a deep undersea trench -- the Japan Trench, seen in the illustration below -- comes very close to the islands of Japan.

This is also in line with the explanation published by Dr. Brown in the comments quoted above, in which he explains that almost 90% of all earthquake energy is released under trenches.

Finally, note the characteristic "arc-and-cusp" pattern of the trenches in the Pacific (a distinct cusp is marked at the very top of the map, west of the Aleutian Trench). As Dr. Brown explains elsewhere in his theory, the arc-and-cusp pattern found in many parts of the Pacific basin is very difficult to explain using the tectonic theory, but accords perfectly with the hydroplate explanation.

This topic is discussed further in the Mathisen Corollary, which argues that the hydroplate theory helps explain many of the clues that point to the existence of an ancient advanced civilization. These clues from mankind's ancient past provide additional supporting evidence for the hydroplate theory. The recent catastrophic earthquake in Japan appears to provide additional supporting evidence as well.