Something strange is happening under our feet—and it’s not an earthquake. Since 2020, scientists have been tracking a puzzling trend: the Earth is spinning faster than usual. Yes, really. Our trusty 24-hour day is shrinking ever so slightly, and while we don’t feel it in our everyday lives, the change is measurable, and experts from NASA and the Institute of Geophysics are paying very close attention.
No, you won’t get off work earlier, and you’re not going to feel dizzy, but the Earth’s rotation is accelerating—and no one is quite sure why. Let’s cut into what’s really going on, how it affects time, and whether we should be worried.
Table of Contents
Rotation
The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours—or to be more precise, every 86,400 seconds. That’s what we call a solar day. But here’s the catch: that 24-hour figure isn’t perfectly fixed. Earth’s rotation speed can shift slightly due to internal and external forces—sometimes getting a bit slower, sometimes speeding up.
Traditionally, Earth’s spin has been slowing down over centuries, largely due to tidal friction caused by the Moon. But since 2020, something flipped the script. Earth started spinning faster, and scientists are scratching their heads trying to figure out why.
Records
You might be wondering—how fast are we talking here?
Since 2020, a series of record-breaking days have been measured using atomic clocks. These ultra-precise devices can detect variations in Earth’s rotation down to microseconds.
Here are some notable milestones:
| Year | Shortest Day Reduction |
|---|---|
| 2021 | -1.47 milliseconds |
| 2022 | -1.59 milliseconds |
| 2023 | -1.31 milliseconds |
| 2024 (Jul 5) | -1.66 milliseconds |
That July 5, 2024, mark is the fastest Earth has spun in recorded history. That’s not even enough time to blink, but when you’re dealing with satellite systems and GPS networks, every fraction of a millisecond matters.
Causes
So what’s speeding up our planet?
Right now, there’s no confirmed answer. Some scientists have noted that the Moon’s orbital position might be playing a role. Specifically, when the Moon moves away from Earth’s equator, it could slightly shift the mass of our planet and change its rotation.
Other theories include:
- Melting polar ice caps changing mass distribution.
- Seismic activity subtly shifting the Earth’s core.
- Atmospheric changes affecting global angular momentum.
Whatever the cause, this isn’t just a one-off. It’s a trend, and it’s continuing.
Past
Interestingly, this isn’t new in the big picture. When Earth first formed, days were much shorter—as little as 3 to 6 hours. Over billions of years, the Moon’s gravitational influence slowed the spin, bringing us to our current 24-hour rhythm.
So technically, faster days are a return to our roots. Just not one we expected to see moving in our lifetime.
Impact
Will shorter days affect us? You won’t feel it physically—no nausea or skipped meals—but the tech world might.
GPS, internet networks, stock markets, satellites—they all rely on perfect timing. These systems are synced using atomic clocks that assume the Earth rotates consistently. Even a slight change can lead to data drift, misalignment, or worse.
No, the internet won’t crash, but engineers are taking this seriously. Tiny timing errors can snowball in high-speed digital systems. Adjustments might be needed to keep everything in sync.
Future
Looking far ahead—like 50 billion years ahead—scientists believe Earth might eventually become “tidally locked” with the Moon. That means the same side of Earth would always face the Moon, and vice versa. The tides would vanish, and only one side of Earth would ever see the Moon.
But don’t worry, we won’t be here. By then, the Sun will have become a red giant and Earth will be toast—literally. So while it’s a fun “what if,” it’s not something to lose sleep over.
Change
And no, Earth isn’t about to suddenly slam on the brakes or speed up like a fidget spinner gone rogue. These rotational changes happen over thousands or even millions of years.
For now, all we know is this: Earth is in a bit of a hurry, and we’re along for the ride.
FAQs
Is the Earth spinning faster?
Yes, Earth’s rotation has been accelerating since 2020.
How much shorter are the days?
Up to 1.66 milliseconds shorter on record days.
Can we feel Earth’s faster spin?
No, the change is too small for humans to notice.
Will technology be affected?
Yes, systems like GPS may need adjustments for precision.
Is this a permanent change?
Unclear—scientists are still studying the long-term trend.
