Source- This post on Impact of Melting Polar Ice on Earth’s Rotation has been created based on the article “The melting of polar ice due to climate change is making days longer” published in “The Hindu” on 14 August 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, Scientists have discovered that over the past two decades, Earth’s rotation has slowed by approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century, due to melting of polar ice.
About the Impact of Melting Polar Ice on Earth’s Rotation
1. Slowing Earth’s Rotation: Scientists have found that the melting of polar ice caps due to climate change is causing the slowdown of Earth’s rotation. It leads to a slight increase in the length of a day.
2. The Extent of the Impact: Over the past two decades, the Earth’s rotation has slowed by approximately 1.3 milliseconds per century due to climate change. If high emissions continue, this effect could increase to 2.6 milliseconds per century.
How does melting of polar ice slows down Earth’s Rotation
1. Changes in Earth’s Shape: As ice melts and flows towards the equator, the Earth bulges out slightly around the middle.
2. Conservation of Angular Momentum: As the Earth’s shape changes slightly, its moment of inertia increases leading to slowing of its spin. This leads to longer days.
What is the concern with the Slowdown of Earth’s Rotation
1. Impact on Timekeeping: The slowdown of Earth’s spin can impact precise timekeeping systems like atomic clocks, GPS, and technologies involved in space travel. Changes of even a few milliseconds can cause discrepancies in these systems.
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