The Earth is expected to experience three short days this summer due to its accelerating rotation speed. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service has predicted these anomalies, which will shave off 1.3 to 1.5 milliseconds from the usual 24-hour day.
These moments may seem insignificant, but with atomic clocks tracking the Earth’s rotational speed so closely, every millisecond counts. A single millisecond can be the difference between adding or subtracting a leap second to the year.
Scientists are trying to determine the cause of this sudden acceleration. The most likely explanation is the moon’s position in its elliptical orbit around the Earth. When the moon is at or near apogee, its gravitational pull slows down the planet’s rotation. However, when the moon’s angle with the Earth’s equator is steeper, its gravity speeds up the Earth’s rotation.
Other factors such as earthquakes, climate change, and rising ocean levels may also play a role in the acceleration of the Earth’s rotation. However, scientists believe that lunar gravity is the primary cause of this phenomenon.
The stability of the Earth-moon system has been well-documented over the past 4.5 billion years. As long as this stable relationship continues, there is no reason to worry about the slightly shorter days.
Source: https://time.com/7301379/earth-rotation-speeding-up-science