WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Following the devastating 9.0 earthquake in Japan, the water in Florida’s aquifers began to fluctuate, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The ripples from the quake were so powerful that the fluctuation was seen in a wide area, including the Everglades National Park, Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County and Highlands County, according to the story.

The fluctuations began about 30 minutes after the earthquake, and consisted of about three inches over a two hour period, the article stated.

“We were surprised that the signature showed up for that length of time, as well,” said Susan Sylvester, the district’s director of operations control.

While similar readings were displayed following the Haitian and Chilean earthquakes last year, this is surprising largely due to the great distance between Florida and the earthquake's epicenter, according to the article.

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