Earth’s Poles Rise Up to 1 Millimeter a Year as Ice Melt Speeds Surface Rounding
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Oct 22
Earth’s Poles Rise Up to 1 Millimeter a Year as Ice Melt Speeds Surface Rounding
3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Oct 22
Summary
A JGR Solid Earth study found Earth’s solid surface is becoming rounder faster, with polar uplift and a shrinking equatorial bulge linked to accelerating climate-driven ice loss.
GNSS-based analysis put polar uplift at about 0.5 to 1 millimeter a year in 2011-2015, while the equatorial bulge contracted at a similar pace.
The study estimates the trend is accelerating each decade, with polar uplift quickening by roughly 0.25 millimeter a year and equatorial contraction by 0.4 millimeter a year.
The mechanism is mass redistribution: losing polar ice eases pressure on crust near the poles, while meltwater shifting toward the equator increases pressure there.
Researchers said the change poses no immediate threat, but adds to evidence that human-driven warming is altering Earth’s physical properties, including its shape, rotation and gravitational field.