NEW DELHI: A recent study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters has uncovered a surprising consequence of rapid groundwater extraction, revealing that it can lead to shifts in the Earth’s axis. Between 1993 and 2010, the planet’s tilt changed by approximately 31.5 inches, closely mirroring the worldwide removal of underground water resources by humans, reported TCD.
During this period, it is estimated that approximately 2,150 gigatons of water were pumped from natural underground reservoirs known as aquifers.To put this into perspective, that volume of water would be sufficient to fill a staggering 860 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
This extensive groundwater extraction not only equals a global sea-level rise of approximately a quarter-inch but has also led to a more noticeable wobble in the Earth’s rotation.
Researchers liken this motion to the shifting of weight on a spinning top or a basketball spun on a fingertip, resulting in a redistribution of mass akin to a water balloon’s subtle “sloshing.”
The Earth’s axis, the imaginary pole around which the planet rotates, naturally experiences changes in tilt due to redistributions of weight. While some degree of this shift is expected as part of a natural process, the study underscores that it has been exacerbated by factors such as melting glaciers, ice sheets, and the retention of water behind dams.
Safeguarding groundwater resources is not only crucial to mitigating Earth’s unexpected wobble but also to prevent land subsidence and ensure an adequate water supply for drinking and agriculture. These concerns take on added significance in a world grappling with the challenges of climate change.
Numerous organizations offer valuable tips to conserve and protect water, including selecting water-efficient plants, promptly repairing leaks, and using water-saving products. These measures not only contribute to environmental preservation but can also result in cost savings for individuals and communities.
“Earth’s rotational pole actually changes a lot,” Ki-Weon Seo, the Seoul National University geophysicist who led the new study, said in a statement, according to TCD.
“Our study shows that among climate-related causes, the redistribution of groundwater actually has the largest impact on the drift of the rotational pole,” Seo added.
“I’m very glad to find the unexplained cause. On the other hand, as a resident of Earth and a father, I’m concerned and surprised to see that pumping groundwater is another source of sea-level rise,” he said.
During this period, it is estimated that approximately 2,150 gigatons of water were pumped from natural underground reservoirs known as aquifers.To put this into perspective, that volume of water would be sufficient to fill a staggering 860 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
This extensive groundwater extraction not only equals a global sea-level rise of approximately a quarter-inch but has also led to a more noticeable wobble in the Earth’s rotation.
Researchers liken this motion to the shifting of weight on a spinning top or a basketball spun on a fingertip, resulting in a redistribution of mass akin to a water balloon’s subtle “sloshing.”
The Earth’s axis, the imaginary pole around which the planet rotates, naturally experiences changes in tilt due to redistributions of weight. While some degree of this shift is expected as part of a natural process, the study underscores that it has been exacerbated by factors such as melting glaciers, ice sheets, and the retention of water behind dams.
Safeguarding groundwater resources is not only crucial to mitigating Earth’s unexpected wobble but also to prevent land subsidence and ensure an adequate water supply for drinking and agriculture. These concerns take on added significance in a world grappling with the challenges of climate change.
Numerous organizations offer valuable tips to conserve and protect water, including selecting water-efficient plants, promptly repairing leaks, and using water-saving products. These measures not only contribute to environmental preservation but can also result in cost savings for individuals and communities.
“Earth’s rotational pole actually changes a lot,” Ki-Weon Seo, the Seoul National University geophysicist who led the new study, said in a statement, according to TCD.
“Our study shows that among climate-related causes, the redistribution of groundwater actually has the largest impact on the drift of the rotational pole,” Seo added.
“I’m very glad to find the unexplained cause. On the other hand, as a resident of Earth and a father, I’m concerned and surprised to see that pumping groundwater is another source of sea-level rise,” he said.
Denial of responsibility! Swift Telecast is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials, please contact us by email – swifttelecast.com. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.