Scientists have demonstrated that intensive human use of groundwater can even affect Earth's axis of rotation. According to the research, approximately 2,150 gigatons of groundwater were extracted between 1993 and 2010 for agriculture, industry, and daily use.
The transfer of this massive volume of water from underground to the oceans caused Earth's rotational pole to shift by about 80 centimeters. Experts note that the planet's axis of rotation is not fixed; it can move over time due to factors such as melting glaciers, changes in snow cover, and the distribution of water on Earth's surface.
The Impact of Groundwater Loss Draws Attention
The new study shows that among climate-related factors, groundwater use is one of the most significant contributors to the shift in Earth's axis. The research also calculated that this loss contributed to a global sea level rise of approximately 6.24 millimeters.
According to scientists, intensive groundwater consumption, especially in western North America and northwestern India, played a key role in the observed changes. Water use in these regions altered the distribution of mass on the planet, creating a measurable effect.
Not Noticeable in Daily Life
Experts emphasize that this change in Earth's rotation does not produce effects noticeable in everyday life. However, the data indicate that human activities may have a much greater impact on the planet than previously thought.
Researchers stress that more careful management of groundwater use in the future will be important both to slow sea level rise and to better understand changes in the climate system.
The study reminds us that water resources are critical not only for agriculture and urban life but also for the planet's physical balance. Large-scale depletion of groundwater becomes a factor affecting Earth's mass distribution beyond visible environmental issues.
