The Earth Records Its Shortest Day in History and Scientists Warn of Unforeseen Consequences

In a rare phenomenon, the Earth completed a full rotation around its axis today, Tuesday, at an unusual speed, recording one of the shortest days in history since the use of atomic clocks began in 1949. Scientists have noted that today has become 1.25 milliseconds shorter than the normal average, a change that may seem minor but raises concerns about serious implications for climate and ecosystems.

Experts suggest that this acceleration is due to the gravitational influence of the moon, leading to a faster rotation of the Earth at the poles. Although humans will not feel this change, its continuation could lead to a series of radical transformations.

Among these transformations is the rise in sea levels in tropical regions due to the centrifugal force resulting from the accelerated rotation, threatening low-lying coastal cities. Additionally, the gradual shortening of the day may disrupt the human biological clock, potentially increasing the risks of health issues such as heart attacks and strokes.

Dr. Steen Odendahl, an astronomer at NASA, warned that the increased speed of the Earth's rotation could make weather phenomena more extreme, as it enhances the Coriolis effect, increasing the intensity of hurricanes and storms.

It is noted that the Earth has experienced similar short days in recent years, with July 19, 2020, recording a day that was 1.47 milliseconds shorter, while June 30, 2022, was 1.59 milliseconds shorter. However, the current record belongs to July 5, 2024, when the planet completed its rotation faster than usual by 1.66 milliseconds.

Astrophysicist Graham Jones from the University of London had predicted additional acceleration in the Earth's rotation during July and August, increasing the importance of monitoring this phenomenon to understand its potential long-term implications.