Study reveals factor that led to dramatic shift in Earth's tilt - Times of India
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NEW DELHI: A recent study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters has uncovered a surprising consequence of rapid groundwater extraction , revealing that it can lead to shifts in the Earth 's axis. Between 1993 and 2010, the planet's tilt changed by approximately 31.5 inches, closely mirroring the worldwide removal of underground water resources by humans, reported TCD. During this period, it is estimated that approximately 2,150 gigatons of water were pumped from natural underground reservoirs known as aquifers.To put this into perspective, that volume of water would be sufficient to fill a staggering 860 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. This extensive groundwater extraction not only equals a global sea-level rise of approximately a quarter-inch but has also led to a more noticeable wobble in the Earth's rotation. Researchers liken this motion to the shifting of weight on a spinning top or a basketball spun on a fingertip, resulting in a red...