Earth is our home. It is the only planet that provides the environment and resources necessary for life to thrive. It provides a unique combination of elements such as oxygen, water, and water.
Earth is our home. It is the only planet that provides the environment and resources necessary for life to thrive. A unique combination of elements such as oxygen, water, and a suitable climate supports diverse ecosystems and all forms of life. Earth’s rotation, the rotation of our planet around its axis, is responsible for the day and night cycle. The Earth rotates from west to east, making one revolution every 24 hours. This makes our day 24 hours long. But what if we told you that huge construction is slowing down the Earth? Here’s what NASA has to say…
Recent research by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed an interesting link between ergonomics and planetary mechanics. China’s Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, was found to reduce the Earth’s rotation by just 0.06 microseconds per day, according to media reports. This phenomenon is caused by the dam’s huge reservoir, which redistributes the Earth’s mass and subtly changes its moment of inertia. This discovery highlights the profound and often unexpected effects that large-scale human activities have on natural systems.
The Three Gorges Dam’s reservoir holds a staggering 40 billion cubic meters of water, leading to a substantial redistribution of matter on Earth. As water accumulates, it changes the distribution of weight across the planet’s surface, resulting in changes in its rotational dynamics.
“The redistribution of mass within the Earth system affects the Earth’s rotation. Although a delay of 0.06 microseconds per day may seem negligible, it is a measurable result of this redistribution. ,” said NASA scientist Benjamin Feng Chao, according to the Economics Times. This effect is based on the principle that moving mass closer to the poles accelerates the Earth’s rotation, and moving it closer to the equator slows down the rotation.
The Three Gorges Dam is an incredible feat of ergonomics, rising 185 meters above the Yangtze River and over 2 kilometers long. It generates a staggering 22,500 megawatts, more than the energy production of many countries. In 2020, the dam set a record by generating 112 terawatt hours of electricity, strengthening its role as a major source of renewable energy. But its effects extend beyond energy production, affecting the Earth’s physical properties, including its rotation.
