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Science
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CNBC TV1829-12-2025, 15:35

Earth's Rotation Slows: Milliseconds, Not Hours, for a 25-Hour Day

  • Earth's rotation is indeed slowing, causing days to lengthen, but the change is extremely gradual, measured in milliseconds per century.
  • The Moon's gravitational pull, creating tidal friction, is the primary natural force behind Earth's decelerating spin.
  • Climate factors like melting glaciers, shrinking ice sheets, and groundwater depletion also contribute by redistributing Earth's mass.
  • Human-driven global warming has accelerated the climate-related slowing in recent decades due to increased ice loss and water depletion.
  • A 25-hour day is projected to be approximately 200 million years away, having no impact on current daily life or technology.

Why It Matters: Earth's days are lengthening by milliseconds, not hours; a 25-hour day is millions of years away.

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