Earth’s rotation is speeding up, and scientists are trying to understand why. Recently, on August 5, 2025, we expect a day to be about 1.25 to 1.51 milliseconds shorter. While that seems tiny, it’s noteworthy because it marks another instance of this recent trend.
This year, Earth sped up on July 10 and July 22 too. If predictions are correct, August 5 will be among the shortest days recorded, following June 30, 2022, which was 1.59 milliseconds faster, and July 5, 2024, at 1.66 milliseconds.
Typically, Earth takes about 86,400 seconds (or 24 hours) to complete one rotation. A millisecond is just one-thousandth of a second, which means these changes won’t affect our daily lives.
Why Is Earth Spinning Faster?
Scientists suggest that the moon’s position may play a key role in these speed increases. When the moon is further north or south of the equator, it can influence Earth’s spinning. On August 5, 2025, the moon will be south of the equator, likely contributing to the faster rotation.
The Science Behind the Speed
The acceleration of Earth’s rotation is puzzling. Historically, Earth has been slowing down due to gravitational forces from the moon acting on the oceans. In fact, over 245 million years ago, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, days were about an hour and a half shorter than they are now.
Although Earth’s rotation has generally decreased since records began in 1973, this recent uptick is unexpected. A 2023 research paper in Nature proposed that changes in Earth’s core dynamics might explain the faster rotation, hinting at a slowdown of the core that began around 2010. However, further studies are needed to verify this theory.
A Trend Worth Noting
Recent social media discussions highlight curiosity and concern about these changes, as people wonder if they indicate something larger at play with Earth’s mechanics. For instance, trending hashtags like #EarthRotation have sparked debates on platforms like Twitter, illustrating both fascination and confusion around our planet’s behavior.
In summary, while the speeding up of Earth’s rotation seems minor, it opens the door to exciting scientific inquiries. Understanding these shifts might help better explain the complexities of our world and how it continues to change.
For more insight on Earth’s rotation, check the details by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service.
