Earth’s rotation is not perfectly constant it’s a dynamic process that’s always changing. While the long-term trend has been a gradual slowdown, primarily due to the gravitational pull of the Moon, recent years have shown a surprising and unprecedented acceleration. This temporary speed-up is thought to be caused by a complex mix of factors, including the movement of our planet’s molten core, atmospheric and oceanic currents, and even the melting of ice sheets. These tiny fluctuations are measured by atomic clocks and are significant enough to impact global timekeeping, raising the possibility of a “negative leap second” to keep our clocks in sync with Earth’s changing spin.
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Earth’s Speed
