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Earth's Rotation Slowing: Climate Change Lengthens Days

3/26/2026

27 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A study from the University of Vienna and ETH Zurich finds Earth's rotation is slowing due to human-driven climate change.
Days lengthen by 1.33 milliseconds per century, a rate not seen in 3.6 million years.
Melting glaciers and ice sheets move mass toward the equator, driving the change.
By century's end, climate-driven day-length change could exceed the Moon's gravitational influence, affecting GPS.

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Story summary

A study from the University of Vienna and ETH Zurich finds Earth's rotation is slowing due to human-driven climate change.
Days lengthen by 1.33 milliseconds per century, a rate not seen in 3.6 million years.
Melting glaciers and ice sheets move mass toward the equator, driving the change.
By century's end, climate-driven day-length change could exceed the Moon's gravitational influence, affecting GPS.