Earth’s Tilt Shifts 31.5 Inches Due to Groundwater Pumping: Fact or Fiction?
Pumping groundwater has significantly altered Earth’s rotation, causing a 31.5-inch tilt in less than two decades due to the redistribution of approximately 2,150 gigatons of water. This movement of water, primarily from mid-latitudes like western North America and northwestern India, contributes substantially to sea-level rise, adding 0.24 inches. The study confirms groundwater redistribution as the largest climate-related cause of this rotational pole drift. This new understanding of groundwater’s impact on Earth’s tilt and sea levels can inform strategies to mitigate future climate change effects.
John Q. Hosedrinker