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Earth’s Rotation Speeding Up: Shortest Days in Years Expected This Summer
The Earth is spinning faster, and experts predict that this summer will experience the shortest days in recent years. According to Time and Date, July 9th, July 22nd, and August 5th are expected to be shorter by 1.30, 1.38, and 1.51 milliseconds, respectively, due to the acceleration of Earth’s rotation.
Why is Earth’s Rotation Speeding Up?
The precise cause of this acceleration remains a mystery to scientists. While long-term changes in Earth’s speed are influenced by the complex movements of the Earth’s core, oceans, and atmosphere, the current acceleration trend is not fully understood. Some experts suggest the Moon’s position relative to the Earth’s equator could be a contributing factor. If the Moon is far south or north of the Earth’s equator, the world rotates faster.
Did You Know? The shortest day ever recorded was in 2023, clocking in at 1.68 milliseconds shorter then usual.
The Role of Earthquakes
Earthquakes can also impact the planet’s rotation. The massive earthquake that struck the east coast of Japan in March 2011, with a magnitude of nine, shifted the Earth’s axis by approximately seventeen centimeters and shortened the days by about 1.8 microseconds, according to Popular Mechanics. This is because earthquakes change the planet’s rotation by regrouping its mass closer to the rotary axis.
Potential Consequences and Adjustments
While the acceleration of Earth’s rotation is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday life, it could necessitate adjustments to atomic time, the universal standard for measuring time. One proposed solution is the introduction of a negative leap second.
Pro Tip: Atomic clocks are so precise that they can measure time to within a few billionths of a second per year!
Negative Leap Second: A Potential Solution
Unlike leap years, where an extra day is added, a negative leap second would involve skipping one second on the clock. However, this proposal faces resistance from some engineers who fear it could lead to technical problems. According to CBS News, negative and positive transfer seconds can cause computer programs failure and data damage.
Past Context: Earth’s Rotation Over Time
Historically, the Earth’s rotation has generally been slowing down.Since 1972,scientists have added 27 leap seconds to account for this deceleration. However, the current acceleration is an unexpected reversal of this trend. Physicist Judah Levine from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology told Discover that experts originally counted on further slowing.
| Year | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Introduction of Leap Seconds | Accounted for slowing Earth rotation |
| 2011 | Japan Earthquake | Shortened day by ~1.8 microseconds |
| 2023 | Shortest Day on Record | 1.68 milliseconds shorter than usual |
| 2025 (Projected) | Shortest Days in Years | July 9, July 22, August 5 significantly shorter |
Evergreen Insights: understanding Earth’s Rotation
The Earth’s rotation is a complex phenomenon influenced by a multitude of factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for predicting future changes and mitigating potential impacts on our technological infrastructure. Monitoring Earth’s rotation is a continuous process involving international collaboration and advanced measurement techniques.
