Earth is rotating faster, say scientists: What it means and should you worry?
Earth
is spinning slightly faster than before, and that means our days are becoming shorter by a tiny fraction of a second. Scientists say this trend has been noticeable since 2020, and by 2029, we may even need to remove a leap second from our clocks—the first time such a step would be taken.
This change in rotation speed is not entirely new. Earth's rotation has shifted gradually over millions of years. For example, days were about 23 hours long during the time of dinosaurs. During the Bronze Age, each day was already half a second shorter than now. According to scientists, if long-term patterns continue, an Earth day might last 25 hours—but only after about 200 million years.
Why are days getting shorter now?
Earth takes roughly 86,400 seconds to complete a full spin. But this number is not exact. Several factors, such as ocean tides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and even changes below the surface, can affect how fast Earth spins.
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While the general trend over centuries has been a gradual slowing down, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), based in Washington D.C., says the planet has been spinning faster since 2020. This increase has been consistent enough that experts predict we might need to subtract a leap second in 2029 to keep clocks aligned with Earth's rotation.
A report by timeanddate.com states that this pattern will likely continue into 2025. The shortest days of that year are expected to fall on July 9, July 22, and August 5. On August 5, Earth's rotation could be 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the usual 24 hours.
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What might be causing the faster spin?
The reason behind this recent speed-up is still unclear. Researchers are studying different possibilities, but none has given a complete answer.
Leonid Zotov, a researcher at Moscow State University, told timeanddate.com, 'Nobody expected this.' Zotov co-authored a 2022 study on the topic but admitted that no existing model fully explains the change.
Most scientists believe the answer may be found deep within the Earth's core. Changes in the oceans or atmosphere do not seem strong enough to explain the sudden increase. However, factors like melting polar ice and shifting land surfaces may also influence rotation speed.
No need to worry, say scientists
Although Earth is spinning faster now, scientists say this does not signal a major shift. Over the long term, the planet still tends to slow down. The current changes are small and will not lead to a return to prehistoric-day lengths anytime soon.
The possible removal of a leap second in 2029 would mark an adjustment to match atomic time with Earth's actual spin. It would not affect daily life, but it serves as a reminder that even something as constant as time is not completely fixed.
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