Scientists are considering a drastic change to the global timekeeping system, introducing the first-ever negative leap second due to Earth’s accelerating rotation. Since 2020, the planet’s rotation has been speeding up, with short days becoming increasingly common. This trend has prompted experts to examine its long-term effects and potential disruptions.
The concept of leap seconds was introduced in 1972 to adjust for irregularities in Earth’s rotational time. However, as atomic clocks operate independently of the Earth’s rotation, introducing a negative leap second poses significant challenges. The technology that relies on precise timekeeping is highly complex, and any disruptions could have far-reaching effects across multiple industries.
Experts warn that implementing a negative leap second would be unprecedented and untested in real-world applications. “Experience has shown that it is surprisingly difficult to get even +ve leap seconds working properly,” said Darryl Veitch, a professor at the University of Technology. “A -ve leap second brings higher risks, and meanwhile, the potential impacts on our networked society continue to increase in scope.”
The aviation industry, financial markets, and communication systems are among those that could be affected by a negative leap second. Any disruptions to these industries could lead to scheduling issues, flight delays, and other problems.
As scientists weigh the pros and cons of introducing a negative leap second, they must consider the potential consequences for global timekeeping and its reliance on accurate clocks. The decision is crucial, as it will determine how the world adapts to an accelerating Earth’s rotation and its impact on our technological systems.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/07/earth-spinning-faster-global-disruptions