Hyderabad: Earth's tilt has apparently shifted significantly, and the reason is human activity. A new study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, claims that massive groundwater pumping has resulted in Earth's tilt shifting 31.5 inches (0.8 meters) in just under two decades.
In 2016, NASA research cautioned about the effect of water distribution on the Earth's rotation. Now, a new study in Geophysical Research Letters connects groundwater pumping to Earth's tilt and attempts to quantify the factors affecting rotation pole drift.
Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University and the study's lead author, stated that Earth's rotational pole changes significantly, and their study indicates that among climate-related causes, groundwater redistribution has the most substantial impact on the pole's drift.
The movement of Earth's rotational pole is influenced by the distribution of water, which affects the planet's mass distribution, causing the Earth to spin differently, much like adding weight to a spinning top.
Seo expressed his satisfaction in uncovering the previously unexplained cause of the drift, but as a resident of Earth and a father, he also voiced his concern and surprise that groundwater pumping contributes to sea-level rise.
The study, based on data from 1993 through 2010, revealed that pumping as much as 2,150 gigatons of groundwater -- mainly for irrigation and human use with the water eventually moving to the oceans -- has caused a change in the Earth's tilt of roughly 31.5 inches.
Researchers examined various scenarios to understand changes in the Earth's rotational pole drift and water movement. The only scenario that accurately matched the observed drift involved the distribution of 2,150 gigatons of groundwater.
The movement of water from midlatitudes, notably from western North America and northwestern India, significantly influences Earth's tilt. Studying historical data could reveal trends and enhance understanding of groundwater movement effects.
Seo said that observing changes in Earth's rotational pole aids in understanding continent-scale water storage variations. This data can help conservationists address the rise of sea levels and other climate issues over time.
