As global warming continues to impact the Earth, scientists are discovering that melting ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica are causing the planet’s rotation to slow down. This change is imperceptible to humans but can have a significant impact on modern technology and systems that rely on precise timekeeping.
To account for these fluctuations, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) has been adjusted with leap seconds since 1972, with the latest adjustment taking place in 2020. However, new research by geologist Duncan Agnew at the University of California suggests that the reduction in the Earth’s angular velocity due to melting ice may necessitate a reduction in leap seconds by 2026.
The Earth’s rotation has always fluctuated due to geophysical processes like interactions between the core, mantle, and outer crust. The melting of ice caps is changing the planet’s mass distribution, affecting its angular momentum. While it is currently unclear whether a reduction in leap seconds will be needed by 2026 or not, adjustments to UTC based on these changes are still necessary.
To track these changes accurately, scientists like Agnew use gravity data from satellites to monitor the decrease in Earth’s angular momentum and adjust timekeeping accordingly. While human activity may be affecting our planet’s rotation and timekeeping systems, it is important that we continue to make necessary adjustments to ensure UTC remains accurate and consistent for various applications in our modern world.
