Extraction of groundwater by humans over the last twenty years has led to Earth’s axis being tilted by 31.5 inches & sea level rise In the last twenty years, the Earth’s axis has shifted by more than 30 inches, with scientists now attributing such a change to the vast quantity of groundwater humans have been pumping out of the ground. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, the research highlights the most significant water movement that impact the Earth’s rotation: those activities which pump groundwater in western North America and northwestern India, as well as from the planet’s midlatitudes (areas roughly between 35 and 65 degrees north or south of the Equator). Between 1993 and 2010, researchers estimate that 2,150 gigatons of groundwater was removed from the planet, equivalent to 860 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. This water, buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface, is used as potable water for humans – especially in … Continue reading The Earth’s axis has tilted 31.5 inches – but why?