Jakarta \u2014 Recent research has revealed that Earth\u2019s rotation is\nslowing, causing the length of a day on the planet to increase, albeit\nonly in milliseconds.<\/p>\n
A study conducted by geophysicists from Vienna and Zurich found that\nbetween 2000 and 2020, the length of a day on Earth increased by\napproximately 1.33 milliseconds per century. This represents the fastest\nrotational slowdown in millions of years, a period when giant mastodons\nand sabre-toothed cats were still alive.<\/p>\n
The research utilised palaeoclimate data, particularly changes in\nglobal sea level since the Late Pliocene period approximately 3.6\nmillion years ago.<\/p>\n
One of the study\u2019s authors, Benedikt Soja, professor of space geodesy\nat ETH Zurich, stated that this slowdown is closely related to modern\nclimate change. \u201cThe rapid increase in the length of day demonstrates\nthat the rate of modern climate change has not occurred for at least the\nLate Pliocene, approximately 3.6 million years ago,\u201d he said. He added\nthat this phenomenon is likely triggered by human activity.<\/p>\n
Researchers describe the phenomenon as a redistribution of\ncontinental-oceanic masses. When polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers\nmelt, the water flows into the ocean and adds mass to the water in\nlow-latitude regions near the equator. This added mass creates\nadditional resistance that slows Earth\u2019s rotation.<\/p>\n
Co-author Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi from the University of Vienna\ndescribed the phenomenon using the analogy of an ice skater: \u201cA skater\nwill rotate more slowly when extending their arms and faster when their\narms are close to their body.\u201d<\/p>\n
To calculate these changes, researchers used sea level fluctuation\ndata obtained from fossils of microscopic marine organisms with shells\ncalled benthic foraminifera. From their chemical composition, scientists\ncan trace changes in sea level and subsequently calculate their impact\non the length of a day on Earth.<\/p>\n
The research also employed a new artificial intelligence method\ncalled the Physics-Informed Diffusion Model (PIDM), which combines\nmachine learning with the laws of physics to process highly complex\npalaeoclimate data.<\/p>\n
Whilst the change in day length is measured only in milliseconds, its\nimpact is considered important. Earth\u2019s rotation is influenced by many\nfactors, ranging from the movement of the planet\u2019s core, atmospheric\npressure, to the Moon\u2019s orbit. However, in future, climate change is\nexpected to become an increasingly dominant factor.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the end of the 21st century, climate change is estimated to\ninfluence the length of day even more strongly than the Moon\u2019s\ninfluence,\u201d Soja stated. He warned that although these changes are\nmeasured in milliseconds, they could create problems\u2014for instance, in\nhigh-precision space navigation that requires extremely accurate\ninformation regarding Earth\u2019s rotation.<\/p>\n
The length of a day on Earth is known to vary considerably, although\nthe changes are minimal. In some recent periods, Earth\u2019s rotation has\neven accelerated. For example, on 4 July 2024, Earth recorded a record\nby completing one full rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/earths-day-lengthens-as-scientists-call-it-a-sign-of-the-end-times-on-earth-1773665764", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }