Melting Polar Ice Causing Earth’s Rotation Slowdown
As per a recent study, the melting polar ice due to global warming has slowed down the Earth’s rotation, pushing back the need for another leap second from 2026 to 2029. The research highlights that the redistribution of mass due to melting ice from Greenland and Antarctica has made the Earth less spherical and more oblate, leading to a slower rotation.
The Changing Earth: Impacts of Melting Ice Caps
The Earth’s rotation is not constant, and its slowing down has implications for various systems on our planet. This slowdown is primarily attributed to the melting of polar ice caps, which has been accelerating in recent years due to climate change.
The Redistribution of Mass and Its Effects
The melting of ice from Greenland and Antarctica has resulted in a redistribution of mass on the Earth’s surface. This change in mass distribution has made the Earth slightly less spherical and more oblate, which in turn has affected its rotation. As the Earth becomes less spherical, its moment of inertia decreases, leading to a slower rotation.
Implications for Timekeeping and Beyond
The slowdown in the Earth’s rotation has implications for timekeeping and the need for leap seconds. Leap seconds are added to the world’s atomic clocks to keep them in sync with the Earth’s rotation. The delay in the need for the next leap second, from 2026 to 2029, is a direct result of the Earth’s slower rotation.
Furthermore, the changing rotation of the Earth can have impacts on various other systems, including tidal patterns, weather and climate patterns, and even the stability of satellites in orbit. Understanding these changes is crucial for accurately predicting and adapting to the ongoing effects of global climate change.