Let’s break it down in simple terms and explore what experts are saying about this Earth rotation speed shift and why it’s happening.
What Does It Mean That Earth Is Spinning Faster?
The Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours. That’s what gives us day and night. But in recent years, atomic clocks — the most accurate time-keeping devices on Earth — have recorded that Earth is taking slightly less than 24 hours to complete a rotation on some days.
In fact, in 2020, scientists recorded the shortest day ever since records began: July 19 lasted just 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 0.4606 seconds — a full 1.4606 milliseconds shorter than a standard day.
That may sound small, but for timekeepers and satellite engineers, even a tiny difference can have a big impact.
Key Reasons Why Earth Is Spinning Faster
Scientists don’t believe there’s just one reason behind this speed-up. It’s a combination of several natural and human-linked factors. Here are the leading theories:
- Glacial Rebound: After the last Ice Age, massive glaciers melted and released pressure from the Earth's crust. The land is slowly bouncing back, which can shift the planet’s mass and affect its spin.
- Climate Change: Melting ice at the poles is moving mass from solid land to oceans, changing how weight is distributed. This affects the Earth's rotation speed in a small but measurable way.
- Tectonic Activity: Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can slightly alter how Earth spins by shifting its internal mass.
- Atmospheric Winds and Ocean Currents: Wind patterns and ocean flows can also influence Earth's spin over time. Changes in atmospheric pressure and El Niño-type events may play a role.
- Chandler Wobble: Earth doesn’t spin in a perfect circle. Instead, it “wobbles” slightly — something known as the Chandler wobble. Sometimes, this wobble slows the spin, and other times, it speeds it up.
Should We Be Worried?
The idea of the Earth spinning faster might sound scary, but scientists say there's no need to panic. The changes are extremely small — only a few milliseconds per day.
However, there are some technical concerns for timekeepers and systems that depend on accurate time:
- GPS satellites: These rely on ultra-precise time to give accurate locations. A shift in Earth’s spin could lead to very small errors.
- Atomic clocks and world time: If Earth continues to spin faster, scientists might have to consider removing a “leap second” in the future — the opposite of what has been done in the past.
- Data centers and communication systems: Even milliseconds matter when it comes to computers, stock markets, and digital communications.
But for everyday life — sleeping, working, or walking your dog — you won’t notice anything different.
What Scientists Are Saying
Experts from time-keeping organizations, like the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), are keeping a close watch on this development. Their role is to adjust our official clocks if needed.
According to them:
- The current spin increase is unusual but not dangerous.
- It’s too early to say if it will keep accelerating or return to normal.
- This is one of the rare times Earth may need a "negative leap second" — a second taken away from our clocks.
Dr. Leonid Zotov, a scientist from Lomonosov Moscow State University, believes that the recent changes are likely due to a mix of climate change, internal Earth processes, and the Chandler wobble.
What Is a Leap Second?
Normally, when the Earth slows down, a leap second is added to keep our clocks aligned with Earth’s rotation. The last one was added in 2016.
But if Earth continues spinning faster, scientists might have to do something new — subtract a second. This is called a negative leap second, and it’s never been done before.
This could create challenges for:
- Tech companies
- International timekeeping
- Financial markets that rely on time accuracy
Final Thoughts
While it might sound like something from a sci-fi movie, the idea that the Earth is spinning faster is very real — and measurable. Scientists don’t see it as a threat to daily life, but it’s an important topic for those who manage global time, navigation systems, and scientific research.
The good news? We’re in capable hands. Scientists and timekeepers around the world are watching this closely, ready to make the necessary adjustments. As they continue to learn more, they’ll help us keep time on track — even as Earth speeds up just a tiny bit.