Earth’s rotation is speeding up for the third time this summer, with scientists unable to pinpoint the cause. According to predictions by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service and the US Naval Observatory, the planet will spin faster on August 5, 2025, shortening the day by between 1.25 and 1.51 milliseconds.
This is not a significant change that affects daily life, but it’s still being closely monitored. The speedup is also the third time Earth has sped up for a day this summer, with previous instances occurring on July 10 and July 22.
The main suspect behind the speeding rotation is the moon’s current position over Earth. When the moon is further north or south than the equator, it can impact how fast the planet spins. On August 5, 2025, the moon will be quite a bit further south than the equator, which may contribute to the faster spin.
However, scientists are struggling to explain why Earth’s rotation is speeding up at all. In recent years, Earth’s rotation has been slowing down due to the moon’s impact on its oceans. But a recent trend shows that the planet’s rotation is accelerating, and science still hasn’t fully understood the reason behind it.
Some researchers suggest that Earth’s core may have started slowing down as recently as 2010, which could explain the faster rotation. However, this theory requires confirmation to be widely accepted. For now, scientists continue to study the phenomenon and search for answers.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/science/earth-is-spinning-weirdly-faster-making-today-one-of-the-shortest-days-ever