Climate change slows down Earth’s rotation and lengthens days at a rate unprecedented in the last 3.6 million years

International researchers published a study in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth demonstrating that days in Terra are lengthening due to the slowdown in planetary rotation. The main cause identified is the accelerated melting of polar ice caps and glaciers driven by global warming. Essa change, although measured in milliseconds per century, has reached an unprecedented rate in the last 3.6 million years.

The redistribution of water mass from the poles to lower latitudes increases the moment of inertia of Terra. As a result, the planet rotates more slowly, gradually lengthening the average length of the solar day. The effect is added to natural variations caused by gravitational interaction with Lua and internal geophysical processes.

How melting ice changes rotation

Global warming melts large volumes of ice accumulated in polar regions and mountain glaciers. Essa water flows into the oceans and spreads across the Earth’s surface.

The mass previously concentrated near the rotation axes is now distributed more equatorially. Esse displacement increases the planet’s effective radius of rotation.

Researchers estimate that the current rate of day lengthening reaches 1.33 milliseconds per century. Essa acceleration surpasses any equivalent period in the last million years.

Evidence obtained from fossil records

Scientists analyzed benthic foraminiferal fossils to reconstruct ancient variations in sea level. Esses marine microorganisms preserve chemical signals sensitive to oceanic changes.

The isotopic composition of the fossils made it possible to infer past fluctuations and calculate the impacts on Earth’s rotation. The method combined paleoclimate data with advanced probabilistic modeling.

The study revealed that only one isolated episode, which occurred around 2 million years ago, showed comparable variation. Mesmo therefore, the speed observed between 2000 and 2020 remains unique.

Main factors that influence the length of the day

• Accelerated melting of polar ice caps and continental glaciers
• Redistribution of water mass to equatorial regions
• Increase in the planet’s rotational moment of inertia
• Anthropogenic contribution superimposed on natural lunar and geophysical processes
• Increasing need for adjustments to precise time systems

These elements work together and intensify the phenomenon in recent years. The climate impact stands out due to the observed magnitude and speed.

Implications for precision technologies

Atomic clocks, fundamental to GPS, telecommunications and data networks, depend on synchronization with the Earth’s rotation. Alterações in day length require periodic corrections known as leap seconds.

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The gradual accumulation of these changes may require more frequent interventions. Sistemas of satellite navigation and digital infrastructure face challenges in maintaining temporal accuracy.

Although imperceptible in everyday life, the effect is relevant in high-precision applications. Pesquisas continue to monitor developments to anticipate necessary adjustments.

Historical comparison of rotational variation

During late Plioceno and late Pleistoceno, day length varied at much smaller rates. Fatores tectonics and lunar tides dominated the slow changes.

The current period stands out for the dominant influence of anthropogenic warming. The rate of slowdown exceeds reconstructed paleoclimate records.

Models indicate that the phenomenon tends to persist as long as the melting continues. Observações future ones will refine the quantification of the human contribution.

Continuous monitoring and projections

Techniques such as very long baseline interferometry and satellite measurements track rotational variations in real time. Esses data complement paleoclimate reconstructions.

Climate projections suggest melting will intensify if emissions do not decrease. Isso can further increase the lengthening rate of days.

Researchers emphasize the clear separation between natural and anthropogenic components. Refined understanding helps in planning astronomical time-dependent technologies.