Earth has been spinning slightly faster in recent years, and scientists have observed some record-short days, meaning Earth completed its rotation a bit quicker than the usual 24 hours. Here’s a simple explanation of why Earth’s spin has increased slightly:

🌍 Why is Earth spinning faster recently?

1. Melting Glaciers and Climate Change
   • Melting glaciers (especially from Greenland and Antarctica) shift mass from land to oceans.
   • This redistribution of weight changes the planet’s moment of inertia (like how a spinning skater speeds up when pulling their arms in).
   • Result: Earth spins slightly faster.
2. Movement of Earth’s Core
   • Changes in the movement of Earth’s molten core affect rotation speed.
   • Inner fluid dynamics can speed up or slow down Earth’s spin subtly.
3. Seismic Activity & Earthquakes
   • Large earthquakes can redistribute Earth’s mass.
   • For example, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake slightly changed Earth’s rotation.
4. Chandler Wobble Changes
   • Earth “wobbles” as it spins, called the Chandler Wobble.
   • Variations in this wobble affect the length of a day by milliseconds.
5. Atmospheric Pressure & Ocean Currents
   • Seasonal weather patterns, winds, and tides also cause small rotational speed changes.
   • For example, strong winds from El Niño or La Niña can shift the balance.

📏 How Much Faster?

• Earth’s rotation is shortening by fractions of milliseconds.
• Example: On July 26, 2022, Earth had its shortest day ever recorded — 1.59 milliseconds less than 24 hours.

⚠️ Is This Dangerous?

No — these changes are tiny and not noticeable in daily life. However, it matters for:

• GPS accuracy
• Atomic clocks
• Satellite systems