Abstract: The Earth shows a systematic asimmetry of the first order tectonic features, both along subduction zones, orogens and oceanic rifts. 
This signature is consistent with the "westerly" directed rotation of the lithospheric Earth's outer shell (about 100 km). We still do not know why the lithospheric plates move, and why there is such a net rotation of the lithosphere.

We are testing the idea that the westward drift and tectonics at plate margins (e.g., earthquakes) are generated by a combination of thermal dissipation of the planet and the body tide. The body tide, or solid Earth tide, is westerly polarized due to the misalignment of the tidal bulge with respect to the Moon and Sun gravitational alignments. This permanent instability should generate a westerly directed moment. The transit of the associated wave should generate a slow, permanent shift in the order of 0.1 mm/half-day.