Melting polar ice is slowing the Earth’s rotation, potentially affecting timekeeping

Global warming has slowed the Earth’s rotation slightly – and this could affect the way we measure time. A study published Wednesday shows that the melting of Arctic ice — an accelerating trend caused mainly by human-induced climate change — has caused the Earth to spin less quickly than it would otherwise. The study’s author, … Read more

Earth’s magnetic field protects life on Earth from radiation, but it can move and its magnetic poles can even flip

The Earth’s magnetic field plays a major role in protecting people from dangerous radiation and geomagnetic activity that can affect satellite communications and the operation of power grids. And it moves. Scientists have studied and tracked the movement of the magnetic poles for centuries. The historical movement of these poles indicates a change in the … Read more