Uncover the Surprising Phenomenon Speeding Up Summer and Its Startling Consequences Revealed by Experts

Time seems to be speeding up lately, and scientists have noticed that Earth is rotating a bit faster. Just this month, some days were about 1.3 milliseconds shorter than the usual 24 hours. This unusual acceleration was seen on July 9 and 10, and experts expect it to happen again on August 5.

Many believe these changes are normal fluctuations influenced by factors like the moon’s gravitational pull and our planet’s core. However, Professor David Jewitt from UCLA suggests there might be more to it. He talks about something called the conservation of angular momentum, which is how rotating bodies move when their mass shifts. For instance, when glaciers melt or tectonic plates shift, it can make Earth spin a bit faster.

Though these changes seem small, they can have a big impact. A faster spin could mess with timekeeping systems worldwide and even cause issues for satellites. In extreme cases, faster rotation might intensify weather patterns, leading to stronger hurricanes and rising sea levels. Dr. Sten Odenwald, a NASA astronomer, explains that storms could gain energy and speed from this change. Imagine hurricanes becoming even more powerful and fierce.

Recent studies show that small adjustments in daily routines can lead to health problems. Research indicates that even slight changes in our sleep patterns can result in more heart issues and accidents. If Earth’s rotation speeds up even slightly, our days would shorten to just 22 hours. This could mean resetting our internal clocks daily without using enough time to adjust.

Researchers have found that recent years have featured a number of short days. For instance, July 19, 2020, was 1.47 milliseconds shorter than expected, and June 30, 2022, was 1.59 milliseconds shorter. Just last year, on July 5, the shortest day on record was observed, clocking in at 1.66 milliseconds less than usual. These variations lead scientists to monitor Earth’s rotation very closely.

Interestingly, Earth’s rotation has been slowing down over the long haul. Millions of years ago, days were about 19 hours long. Because of this gradual slowdown, timekeepers have introduced leap seconds since 1972 to keep our clocks aligned with the planet’s rotation. However, it’s been a while since a leap second was added—none have been added since 2016.

Experts say that if Earth’s spin continues to speed up, we might need to introduce a “negative leap second,” which would mean removing a second from our clocks to catch up with Earth’s increasing rotation. In fact, there’s about a 40 percent chance of this happening by 2035.

Our planet’s rotation not only serves as a clock but also affects our environment and daily life. As we keep a close watch on these changes, it raises an important conclusion: even small shifts in Earth’s behavior have the potential to impact everything from weather to our health.

To learn more about Earth’s rotation and its effects, you can check out resources from NASA on [Earth’s rotation and climate](https://nasa.gov).

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