A recent study by scientists from the University of Vienna and ETH\nZurich reveals climate change is beginning to affect Earth\u2019s rotation\ndue to melting polar ice caps. The redistribution of the planet\u2019s mass\nis slowing its spin at a rate unseen in 3.6 million years.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that the length of a day is now increasing by\napproximately 1.33 milliseconds per century. Although imperceptible in\ndaily life, scientists say this change demonstrates the profound impact\nof human activity on the planet\u2019s systems.<\/p>\n
\u2018Human influence on Earth\u2019s systems is now so profound that we are\naltering the planet\u2019s rotation,\u2019 said study co-author Professor Benedikt\nSoja, quoted by BBC Science Focus on Monday, 25 May 2026.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon occurs as ice melts in Greenland, Antarctica, and\nother polar regions due to global warming. Meltwater flows into the\noceans and spreads towards the equator, redistributing Earth\u2019s mass.<\/p>\n
This slowdown in rotation is akin to a figure skater extending their\narms to slow their spin.<\/p>\n
Previously, Earth\u2019s rotation was known to be influenced by the Moon\u2019s\ngravity, core dynamics, and atmospheric changes. However, recent\nresearch shows climate change is now one of the primary factors\naffecting the planet\u2019s spin.<\/p>\n
Researchers estimate that climate change\u2019s impact on Earth\u2019s rotation\ncould surpass the Moon\u2019s gravitational effects by the end of this\ncentury if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.<\/p>\n
To reconstruct Earth\u2019s rotational changes over millions of years,\nscientists used fossils of microscopic marine organisms called benthic\nforaminifera. The chemical composition of their shells preserves traces\nof ancient sea level changes.<\/p>\n
This data was then analysed using machine learning algorithms to\ncalculate changes in day length since the late Pliocene epoch, around\n3.6 million years ago.<\/p>\n
Of all periods studied, current conditions represent one of the most\nstriking anomalies. According to Soja, such a change in day length\nrequires a massive redistribution of mass.<\/p>\n
\u2018This shift in day length requires redistributing approximately 1,000\ngigatons of mass from the poles to the oceans. To visualise, it\u2019s like\nplacing an ice cube 10 kilometres high over New York City \u2014 taller than\nMount Everest,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Another researcher involved in the study, Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi,\nstated that the energy involved in the rotational change is equivalent\nto a magnitude 9 earthquake.<\/p>\n
Researchers also identified a period around two million years ago\nwhen the rate of rotational change nearly matched today\u2019s conditions.\nBack then, massive ice melt was triggered by natural carbon dioxide\nspikes and polar ice sheet instability.<\/p>\n
However, they noted such natural occurrences are extremely rare.\nToday, human activity has produced similar effects in just over a\ncentury.<\/p>\n
Beyond affecting Earth\u2019s rotation, polar ice melt is linked to rising\nsea levels and more extreme weather. Researchers say even minor changes\nin day length remain critical for high-precision navigation systems like\nGPS and spacecraft navigation.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/study-reveals-earths-rotation-slowing-due-to-climate-change-1780157745", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }