A recent scientific study has revealed an intriguing phenomenon: the Earth's rotation is gradually slowing down. This subtle change, although imperceptible in the short term, could have significant implications for our planet and all its inhabitants over millions of years.
According to current estimates, days will last 25 hours on the planet, although this change will take hundreds of millions of years to occur.
It is important to remember that the length of the Earth's day has varied throughout its history and will continue to change in the future.
The Earth is spinning more and more slowly
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have used high-precision laser technology to accurately measure the smallest variations in the Earth's rotation.
The results obtained indicate that the Earth's day is gradually lengthening. This phenomenon, although slow, is constant and could lead to 25-hour days in the distant future.
What are the causes of this slowdown? Interaction with the Moon: The gravitational attraction between the Earth and the Moon generates tides, which in turn creates friction that slows down the rotation of our planet. Internal processes: Tectonic movements and changes in the distribution of mass inside the Earth also influence the speed of rotation. Impacts of space objects: Throughout geological history, impacts of asteroids and comets have been able to modify the speed of the Earth's rotation.
Consequences of a longer day
An increase in day length could have several repercussions:
Climate changes: Day length influences the distribution of sunlight and temperatures, which could alter global weather patterns. Impacts on biodiversity: Living organisms have evolved to adapt to light and dark cycles. A longer day could affect their biological cycles, such as reproduction and migration. Impacts on scientific models: Models used to predict natural phenomena, such as tides and seasons, would have to be adjusted to take this new reality into account. Changes in astronomy: Astronomical observations would be affected, requiring adjustments to instruments and calculations.
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