Explanation –

• Gravitational pull of the Moon: The Moons gravity creates a tidal bulge on Earth, and the disparity between the bulges position and the Moons pull creates a torque that slows down Earths rotation over billions of years. This process, known as tidal braking, adds about 2.3 milliseconds to the length of a day each century.
• Movement of air currents: As air currents push against mountains and pull-on Earths surface through friction, they change Earths rotation rate slightly. For example, during El Nino years, the Earth spins slightly slower due to the way the winds shift.
• Melting Polar Ice: As glaciers melt and sea levels rise, relatively more mass flows from near the poles to closer to Earths equator. This redistribution of mass slows down Earths rotation and gradually lengthens our days.
• Tectonic Plate Movements: While tectonic activity can cause minor changes in Earths rotation, such as speeding it up in some cases (e.g., due to earthquakes), it is not a primary factor in the long-term slowing of Earths rotation.
• Deforestation: Deforestation impacts the environment and climate but does not significantly alter the planets rotational dynamics.

Source: The Hindu