Melting Ice Sheets Slow Earth's Rotation, Impacting GPS and Timekeeping Systems
July 18, 2024A recent study from ETH Zurich has found that the melting of glaciers and polar ice sheets is causing Earth's rotation to slow down.
This phenomenon is driven by climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, details how the redistribution of water from Greenland and Antarctica towards the equator is leading to longer days.
The research suggests that the loss of ice could eventually slow Earth's rotation more than the Moon does, impacting timekeeping systems like internet traffic and GPS navigation.
Changes in Earth's rotation may also affect its axis and magnetic field, with implications for future spacecraft navigation.
The findings underscore the critical link between human activities and the planet's natural processes.
The study highlights the need for continued monitoring of these changes and responsible environmental management.
Summary based on 18 sources
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Sources
Daily Mail • Jul 16, 2024
Days really are dragging! Length of days on Earth is increasing at an 'unprecedented' rate - and...Vox • Jul 17, 2024
Climate change is literally making our days longerThe Weather Channel • Jul 17, 2024
Human-Induced Climate Change Altering Length of Each Day on Earth: Study | Weather.comLive Science • Jul 17, 2024
Earth is wobbling and days are getting longer — and humans are to blame