Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 02/02/2022 11:30:28

Title: Will melting ice caps effect the Earth's rotation?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 02/02/2022 11:30:28

Andy has sent this question in to find answers for.

"Since the ice caps are melting, will the re-distribution of the water to a larger diameter of the earth result in the rotation of the earth slowing through conservation of angular momentum?"

What do you think? Discuss in the comments below...

Title: Re: Will melting ice caps effect the Earth's rotation?
Post by: Halc on 02/02/2022 12:50:50

Yes, but the effect is well under one second were all the ice to melt.
Given no other changes, if all the ice were to migrate to near the equator, the day might lengthen by about half a second, but it doesn't all go to the equator, and more importantly, the planet is not a rigid solid, so the new mass distribution will push the sea floor down with the extra weight and allow the continents (Greenland, Antarctica) to rise a bit with the weight relief.

Title: Re: Will melting ice caps effect the Earth's rotation?
Post by: evan_au on 02/02/2022 20:28:18

Earth's rotation rate is measured very accurately - even small errors would upset GPS users and astronomers.

There have been changes in Earth's rotation rate on timescales like 1 week that have been attributed to atmospheric changes due to changes in evaporation from surface waters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_length_fluctuations

Title: Re: Will melting ice caps effect the Earth's rotation?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 02/02/2022 20:46:53

Interesting question, the south pole will lose far more volume height and mass than the North.