8legs: University of vienna

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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.

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