tech
April 28, 2026
Why is the Earth rotating slower? NASA explains the impact of climate change on the day
The speed at which the Earth rotates is no longer the same. NASA confirmed that our planet's rotation has undergone measurable variations that impact the exact duration of days...
TL;DR
- Earth's rotation speed is changing, affecting the length of its days.
- NASA has confirmed measurable variations in our planet's rotation.
- These variations are influenced by natural processes, climate change, and human activities.
- The phenomenon impacts global technological systems like GPS and telecommunications.
- Historically, the Moon has caused a gradual deceleration, extending days by 1.7 milliseconds per century.
- Since 2000, climate factors like melting glaciers and water redistribution have accelerated the lengthening of the day.
- Large-scale human infrastructure projects, like China's Three Gorges Dam, can also alter Earth's rotation.
- Extreme geological events, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, can temporarily shorten the day.
- A day reaching 25 hours is estimated to be approximately 200 million years away at the current rate.