Changes in water levels on land could be impacting the Earth’s wobble, according to a recent study published in Science. Researchers found that soil moisture, underground aquifers, lakes, rivers, and other surfaces have lost trillions of metric tons of water over the last 20 years.
The decline in terrestrial water is believed to be causing a significant shift in the Earth’s axis, with a change of approximately 45 centimeters since the turn of the century. Scientists attribute this change primarily to massive soil moisture loss, rather than changes in the Earth’s core or ice melting.
The study also notes that shifts in the wobble can affect climate over tens of thousands of years. The phenomenon is known as axial precession and has been influenced by large-scale movements of mass, such as the redistribution of ice sheets during past ice ages.
Local weather forecasts indicate dry conditions for Coeur d’Alene, with April rainfall totals falling behind normal at Cliff’s station and the Spokane International Airport. However, showers are expected in early May, with a high-pressure ridge attempting to establish itself over the western U.S., potentially bringing increased moisture in the coming weeks.
The region’s seasonal total is nearly 7.60 inches of rain and melted snow, short of the normal precipitation of about 9.30 inches. A dry summer season is still anticipated, although not as severe as in 2024.
Source: https://cdapress.com/news/2025/apr/28/water-loss-may-be-changing-the-earths-wobble