Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
The hours and minutes that dictate our days are determined by Earth’s rotation.
But after a long trend of slowing, the Earth’s rotation is now speeding up.
Melting polar ice is slowing the impact on Earth’s rotation and has delayed the date by three years, pushing it from 2026 to 2029, the report found.
Changes in Earth’s rotation over the long term have been dominated by the friction of the tides on the ocean floor — which has slowed down its rotation.
Persons:
Patrizia, ”, Duncan Agnew, Agnew, Ted Scambos, ” Agnew, “, Olivier Morin, Scambos
Organizations:
CNN, Time Department, International Bureau, University of California San, University of Colorado Boulder
Locations:
France, University of California San Diego, Scoresby Fjord, Greenland, AFP