Days are getting longer: Climate change is slowing Earth’s spin at an unprecedented rate in 3.6 million years

Climate Change Is Slowing Earth’s Spin and Making Days Longer Faster Than in 3.6 Million Years (Image: AI)

• Melting ice sheets are causing Earth's rotation to slow down
• Days are lengthening by 1.33 milliseconds per century
• Longer days may impact GPS and satellite technology accuracy

Did our AI summary help?

New scientific findings suggest climate change is subtly altering Earth’s rotation, with melting ice sheets and rising seas contributing to longer days. Researchers from University of Vienna and ETH Zurich report that these changes, though minute, could influence critical technologies and reshape understanding of planetary dynamics.

Melting ice and Earth rotation changes explained

Scientists say Earth’s rotation is slowing due to climate-driven changes. Melting glaciers and polar ice sheets are redistributing mass globally. This shift causes the planet to spin slightly slower. As a result, each day becomes marginally longer over time. The study estimates an increase of 1.33 milliseconds per century. Researchers noted this rate is unusual over 3.6 million years.

The process resembles a spinning skater extending their arms outward. When mass moves away from the centre, rotation naturally slows. Earth’s spin already varies due to lunar gravity and atmospheric changes. However, scientists now say human-driven climate change plays a major role. This marks a significant shift in understanding planetary motion influences.

Fossil evidence and climate data reveal long-term trends

To study ancient changes, scientists analysed marine fossil records carefully. They examined benthic foraminifera for chemical clues about past sea levels. These organisms preserve environmental data within their tiny shells. Using this information, researchers estimated historical variations in Earth’s rotation.

Advanced deep-learning models helped manage uncertainties in ancient climate data. These tools allowed scientists to connect sea-level changes with rotation shifts. The findings suggest modern changes are unusually rapid compared with past patterns. This strengthens evidence linking current trends to human activity.

Why longer days could impact modern technology

The changes may seem small but carry practical consequences. Even slight shifts can affect satellite tracking and navigation systems. Technologies like GPS rely on precise timing and stable rotation. Atomic clocks also depend on consistent measurements for accuracy.

According to Benedikt Soja, a geophysicist at ETH Zurich, human influence is growing. He said current changes in day length are largely human-driven. By century’s end, climate effects may exceed lunar influence. This adds another layer to climate change impacts globally. Scientists say the findings highlight deep links within Earth’s systems.