The research paper noted that the drift in Earth’s Pole has caused the third planet in the Solar System to tilt nearly 80 centimetres eastwards. “Earth’s pole has drifted toward 64.16 degrees E at a speed of 4.36 centimeters per year during 1993–2010 due to groundwater depletion and resulting sea level rise,” the paper read.

What caused Earth’s Pole to tilt further?

The researchers in the paper have stated that the important anthropogenic contribution was caused from the rise in sea level. The cause for the rise in sea level has been attributed to surging depletion of groundwater owing to increased irrigation. 

RESEARCH FIND: The team of researchers have said that people of the Earth have pumped out 2,150 gigatons of groundwater, equivalent to more than 0.24 inches of sea level rise. They have however, mentioned that estimating the next figure is difficult. 

How to understand Earth’s tilting?

To understand the Earth’s pole further tilting, let us understand how the tilting is calculated. 

The tilting of the earth is calculated by looking at Earth’s rotational Pole. Also known as the earth’s Axis, this is the point around which the Earth spins. Earth scientists have established that the Axis moves a bit over time , this phenomenon is called Polar Motion. 

“Earth’s rotational pole actually changes a lot. Our study shows that among climate-related causes, the redistribution of groundwater actually has the largest impact on the drift of the rotational pole,” Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University who led the study, said in a statement released by the American Geophysical Union.

“We show that the model estimate of water redistribution from aquifers to the oceans would result in a drift of Earth’s rotational pole, about 78.48 cm toward 64.16°E,” the paper read.

How groundwater distribution affected the Earth’s pole?

According to United States Geological Survey, Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table.

This water table is used to pump water out for irrigation purposes. Notably, after water from irrigation also flows out into larger water bodies eventually, thereby adding to rising sea level. 

To understand how the groundwater affected Earth‘s spinning, it is impertinent to know that the position of the Earth’s rotational pole changes relative to the Earth’s outer layer (crust). 

The way water is distributed on our planet affects how mass is spread out. It’s similar to what happens when you add a small weight to a spinning top – it starts to spin a bit differently because of the added weight.

Similarly, as water moves around on Earth, it can cause slight changes in how our planet spins.

In the research the scientists have said that where the water table is placed also affects the Earth’s spinning. The researchers in their study have estimated that between 1993 and 2010, most water was redistributed in western North America and northwestern India.

How will the drift affect Earth?

The researchers have noted that the drift in earth’s pole almost 80 centimetres to the east will not affect the seasons on Earth. However the researches have alerted that the long term effect of this change would be an massive impact on climate, gargantuan climatic changes!

Updated: 19 Jun 2023, 03:05 PM IST