A groundbreaking study on climate change’s impact on Earth has revealed a startling discovery: the planet’s axis has shifted by 31.5 inches (about 80 cm) due to excessive groundwater extraction. This shift, published in Geophysical Research Letters, highlights how human activities, specifically the extensive pumping of groundwater, are altering the Earth’s rotation and contributing to sea-level rise.

According to the study, the change in Earth’s tilt corresponds to approximately 0.24 inches of sea-level rise, as reported by Popular Mechanics. Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University and the lead author of the study, explained that while the Earth’s rotational pole fluctuates naturally, the redistribution of groundwater has the largest effect on the planet’s drift.

The study underscores how the movement of water—whether from melting glaciers, polar ice sheets, or groundwater extraction—affects Earth’s spin. The redistribution of water, particularly from the pumping of groundwater for human use and irrigation, impacts the balance of the planet, much like how a figure skater’s spin slows when they extend their arms.

The research analyzed data from 1993 to 2010, finding that the extraction of 2,150 gigatons of groundwater during this period has caused the Earth’s axis to shift by 31.5 inches. This massive change is driven by human activities and is largely linked to agricultural and industrial water use.

What is Groundwater? Groundwater is water stored beneath Earth’s surface in soil and rock fractures. It is an essential part of the hydrological cycle, replenished by precipitation and forming aquifers that provide drinking water and irrigation. While groundwater is crucial for agricultural and industrial use, its excessive extraction is now being shown to have significant consequences on Earth’s physical balance.

Why It Matters While the 31.5-inch shift in Earth’s tilt may seem minor on a human scale, the long-term environmental implications could be significant. Over geological timescales, such changes can alter regional sea levels and affect Earth’s internal systems, including its magnetic field, which helps protect life on Earth from harmful solar radiation. This shift underscores the complex relationship between human activities, water use, and the broader impacts on our planet’s stability.