Recently, Earth experienced its shortest day in modern history. It takes Earth about 24 hours to complete one full turn on its axis. But on June 29, 2022, this daily rotation was 1.59 milliseconds faster than usual.
Using a combination of extremely accurate clocks and historical records, scientists have been able to measure the precise length of each day going back centuries. They found that in recent years, Earth’s rotation has been speeding up.
Some scientists believe this is part of a natural cycle that will eventually reverse. Others think climate change is to blame. Warmer temperatures on Earth are causing ice to melt, adding water to the oceans. This changes the way mass is distributed around the planet, causing short-term changes to the planet’s spin.