Rising sea levels lengthen the duration of the day on Earth at an unprecedented rate

Recent scientific studies have shown that the rise in sea levels caused by climate change has begun to noticeably affect the Earth's rotation speed, leading to an unprecedented lengthening of the day compared to previous natural changes.
This effect is mainly linked to the melting of massive ice sheets in areas such as Greenland and Antarctica, where the transfer of huge amounts of water from land to oceans leads to a redistribution of the planet's mass.
This change in mass distribution slightly slows the Earth's rotation, similar to what happens when a skater extends their arms while spinning, causing the motion to slow down.

Measurable Changes

Recent measurements indicate that the length of the day on Earth may increase by a few thousandths of a second as a result of this phenomenon. Although this change seems very small for daily life, it is detectable by atomic clocks and precise measurement systems.
Scientists confirm that this increase in the length of the day is now occurring at faster rates than some natural geological effects that have driven changes in the Earth's rotation speed over thousands of years.

Other Factors Affecting Earth's Rotation

In addition to rising sea levels, other factors affect the planet's rotation speed, such as tectonic plate movements, mass distribution within the Earth's core, as well as tidal effects caused by the Moon's gravity.
However, researchers point out that climate-related changes have now become an increasingly important factor in this physical process.

Long-Term Scientific Implications

Scientists believe that the continued melting of ice and rising sea levels may lead to additional changes in the Earth's rotation over the coming decades, making understanding this phenomenon important for climate science and geophysics, as well as for systems that rely on ultra-precise time measurements such as satellites and global navigation systems.