#1
#1 out of 120.00%
science2h ago
Something ‘unprecedented’ is now happening to Earth’s rotation, scientists say | BBC Science Focus Magazine
- New study finds Earth's rotation is slowing at an unprecedented rate in 3.6 million years.
- Climate-driven mass shifts from poles to oceans are increasing the length of a day.
- The rate today is 1.33 milliseconds per century, a figure notable for timing systems.
- Researchers used fossil shells and a machine-learning algorithm to extend measurements back 3.6 million years.
- Today’s rate remains unique; a similar spike occurred about two million years ago but was natural.
- Under continued fossil-fuel use, climate change could become the biggest driver of day-length change by year-end.
- Impacts include subtle yet real effects on GPS and spacecraft navigation.
- The mass redistribution mirrors broader ecological and climate consequences of human activity.
- The team plans to study other mass-shift effects, such as groundwater changes.
- Lead authors include Benedikt Soja and Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi from ETH Zurich and the University of Vienna.
Vote 0