Underground Water Loss Causing Noticeable Wobble in Earth's Axis

A recent study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters suggests that the extraction of water from underground reservoirs by humans is occurring at a significant rate, leading to a change in the Earth's axis.

From 1993 to 2010, the Earth's tilt changed by about 31.5 inches. Based on prior research, humans pumped an estimated 2,150 gigatons of water from natural underground reservoirs called aquifers during those years. That volume is equal to about 860 million Olympic-sized pools and equates to a global sea level rise of around one-quarter inch.

Much of the extracted groundwater is used for irrigation and ultimately flows into the oceans. This drainage has occurred faster than natural aquifer replenishment, displacing massive amounts of water weight.

Lead author Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University, said this likely caused the observed wobbling of the Earth on its axis, like a spinning top that has had weight redistributed.

While shifts in Earth's axis tilt from natural pole migration are normal, scientists have noticed divergence from expected patterns. Factors like melting ice sheets and water held behind dams were previously linked to this discrepancy.

But the new findings pinpoint groundwater depletion as playing a key role in altering the planet's pole position due to related mass displacements. This is concerning because it suggests underground water loss significantly contributes to sea level rise as well, the authors noted.

"Our research indicates that among the causes related to climate, the redistribution of groundwater has the most significant effect on the movement of the rotational pole," Seo added. I'm really happy to discover the unidentified reason. Nevertheless, as a resident of Earth and a father, I am concerned and surprised to see that mining groundwater is an additional factor contributing to the rise in sea levels.

Maintaining the health of aquifer levels is crucial to avoid land subsidence, ensure a sufficient supply of drinking water, and reduce the impact of increasing sea levels worsened by climate change. People can help by choosing water-efficient landscaping, promptly fixing leaks, and utilizing water-saving devices, actions that usually save money too.

Experts say the new findings highlight the need for careful monitoring of groundwater reserves and more sustainable usage globally as the planet warms. While the tilt of Earth's axis fluctuates naturally over time, rapid extraction of underground water is accelerating the pace of change.

"Earth’s rotational pole actually changes a lot,” said Seo. “But the pattern of the observed shift has still been a mystery. That’s where our study comes in.”

The authors determined that between 1993 and 2010, underground water depletion specifically caused a 31.5 inch shift in Earth's axis tilt. By linking the two for the first time, the study solves a longstanding riddle.

This groundwater displacement not only alters Earth's wobble but likely contributes significantly to sea level rise. “As a resident of Earth and a father, I’m concerned and surprised to see that pumping groundwater is another source of sea-level rise,” said Seo.

Extracting less groundwater can help restrain sinking land, ensure adequate drinking water, and reduce aquifer-related sea level rise. Simple actions like choosing drought-resistant plants, fixing leaks quickly, and installing water-saving devices make a difference.

Humanity's unsustainable water usage underground is literally changing the way the planet spins. We must monitor aquifer health closely and pump groundwater responsibly as the world warms. This will become increasingly vital for all who call Earth home.