In the period between 1993 and 2010, we humans moved and extracted so much groundwater on our planet that it caused Earth’s poles to migrate.
A new analysis by South Korean geophysicist Ki-Weon Seo, led by the Seoul National University’s Ki-Weon Seo, found that the redistribution of groundwater alone resulted in an eastward shift of 80 centimeters (311.5 inches).
The findings confirmed that earlier estimates of groundwater loss caused by human activities are equivalent to the total rise in sea levels of 6 millimeters.
Researchers carried out this research to better understand the phenomenon polar motionThe impact of changes in Earth’s water distribution. In 2016, Scientists made a breakthroughIn figuring out the reason why Earth’s poles rotate, we need to look at how much water is stored on Earth.
Seo and colleagues have now determined the contribution of humans to this wandering groundwater.
Earth’s rotating pole changes a lot. Seo Says. “Our study shows, that among the climate-related factors, the redistribution groundwater has the greatest impact on the drifting of the rotational polar.”
When you stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense. Earth rotates around its rotational center like a spinning toy. The axis moves to compensate for changes in the distribution of mass around the axis.
Climate changeThe word a This has a big impact. As the frozen parts of the world melt, such as glaciers and ice sheets, the distribution of water over Earth’s surface changes, and the poles – the ends of the rotational axis – move around.
The early 1990s saw a noticeable increase in this effect, and much research has been conducted to determine how water redistribution affects it. But the impact was not limited to groundwater extraction.
Climate models are based on the climate model. Scientists estimate in 2010Humans had pumped approximately 2,150 gigatons (around 6 millimeters) of groundwater from 1993 to 2010, but it was difficult for observers to confirm.
Seo and his co-workers tackled the issue using observational data and modeling of polar motion. The first step was to model polar movement only by considering ice melt from sea ice, glaciers, and ice sheet. They then added different levels to groundwater extraction into their models.
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They were able to get closer to the observed motion by using the 2.150 gigaton estimate.
The estimation provided the exact contribution to groundwater extraction. Without groundwater, the model was 78.48 centimeters off.
Groundwater extraction between 1993 and 2010 pushed Earth’s polar regions at a rate 4.36 centimeters each year. It’s still probably exerting an effect, but the data used by the team only goes up to 2010.
I’m glad that you found the cause of the rotational pole drift. Seo Says. “As an Earth resident and as a father, I find it surprising and alarming that the pumping of underground water is another cause of sea level increase.”
But the findings may be able to help reduce further polar movements. When groundwater is pumped from mid-latitudes, the biggest impact is felt. Researchers discovered that between 1993 and 2010, most groundwater extraction took place in mid-latitudes. These regions were primarily North America and North India.
This could slow down the polar movement and the sea level rise if these regions make a concerted attempt to limit groundwater extract rates. The researchers point out that this effort would have be ongoing for at least a decade.
It will take time to mitigate the effects of human activity on the climate. The earlier action is taken, the better.
The Earth’s rotational pole can be used to understand continent-scale variations in water storage. Seo Says.
Data on polar motions are available since the late 19th Century. These data can be used to study changes in continental storage of water over the last century. Was there a change in the hydrological system as a result of climate warming? Polar motion may hold the key.”
The research has appeared in Geophysical Research Letters.
