Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A recent study published in Nature suggests that global warming-induced melting of polar ice is causing a slowdown in the Earth's rotation, potentially leading to changes in our clocks.
Researchers predict that by 2029, world timekeepers may need to subtract a second from our clocks, termed a "negative leap second," due to the Earth's decreased rotation speed.
The study highlights potential challenges for computer network timing, with implications for the coordinated universal time (UTC) system, which may require adjustments earlier than planned.
The study was authored by Duncan Agnew, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, who explores the link between polar ice melt and Earth's rotational changes.
As polar ice melts, there is a redistribution of the Earth's mass, with increased mass around the equator affecting the planet's angular velocity and rotational speed.
Thomas Herring, a professor of geophysics at MIT, explains how melting ice alters fluid distribution on the planet, leading to measurable changes in Earth's rotation.
The study underscores the unprecedented nature of the observed changes, with Mr. Agnew remarking on the significant impact of human-induced alterations to Earth's rotation.
Earth's rotation has naturally fluctuated over millions of years, with evidence suggesting shorter days of 23.5 hours around 70 million years ago, as indicated by research in Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology.