A new study highlights the profound impact of groundwater extraction on Earth’s rotation and sea level rise 24 Channels with reference Popular Mechanics.

Intensive groundwater pumping over the past 20 years has caused the Earth’s axis to tilt by 80 centimeters, according to a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

This dramatic redistribution of 2,150 gigatons of water between 1993 and 2010 also 6.1 millimeter increase in world ocean level. The resulting data highlight the important role of human activities in accelerating climate change and altering the planet’s natural systems.

Redistribution of water causes poles to shift

Ki-Won So, professor of geophysics at Seoul National University and lead author of the study, explained:

The Earth’s pole of rotation is actually shifting a lot. Among climate-related causes, groundwater redistribution has the greatest impact on the displacement of the Earth’s pole of rotation.

The study provides the first quantitative data linking groundwater extraction to changes in Earth’s rotation dynamics.

The movement of water masses affects the planet’s rotation axis much like a change in weight affects a rotating arm.

While NASA first identified the connection between water redistribution and rotation changes in 2016, this new study confirms that groundwater pumping plays an important role in this process.

“I am delighted to be able to explain the previously unexplained cause of the pole shift. On the other hand, as an Earthling and a parent, I am concerned and surprised that groundwater pumping is yet another source of sea level rise,” So added.

How bad is it?

To measure the impact of groundwater extraction, researchers used computer models to simulate different scenarios of water movement. The model, which only took into account the redistribution of 2150 gigatons of groundwater, matched observed data on the displacement of the Earth’s poles.

Surendra Adhikari from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory noted: “They measured the impact of groundwater pumping on polar motion, and it turned out to be quite significant.”.

The study identified mid-latitude regions such as western North America and northwestern India as key factors influencing the movement of the aurora borealis. These regions rely heavily on groundwater for irrigation and domestic needs, and these resources eventually leak into the oceans, disrupting the planet’s mass balance.

Will it be possible to change something?

Although the impact of water redistribution on the Earth’s rotation is only beginning to be understood, this study highlights the long-term consequences of human activity on global processes. Understanding these changes can help ecologists and conservationists develop strategies to slow sea level rise and address broader climate challenges.

The authors emphasize the importance of implementing sustainable water management practices to reduce further damage and ensure that future interventions are implemented effectively and completely.