Earth’s Rotation Is Slowing Faster Than In 3.6 Million Years

Article excerpt

Earth's rotation is decelerating at a pace unprecedented in 3.6 million years, according to new research linking the slowdown directly to climate change. As polar ice melts, the redistribution of water across the planet alters how mass is distributed around Earth's axis, similar to how a spinning figure skater slows down when extending their arms. Scientists say this effect, driven by human-caused warming, represents a measurable shift in planetary mechanics that has no parallel in the deep geologic record. The findings add another dimension to climate change's grip on Earth's systems, though the slowdown remains imperceptible in daily life.