Human extraction of too much groundwater leads to polar drift

Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, June 19 (Reporter Liu Xia) Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin in the United States simulated how changes in the distribution of water around the earth affect the drift of the poles. The results show that the total amount of groundwater pumped by human beings from 1993 to 2010 was about 210 billion tons, and the change of groundwater distribution caused the earth's poles to drift by 80 cm

Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, June 19 (Reporter Liu Xia) Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin in the United States simulated how changes in the distribution of water around the earth affect the drift of the poles. The results show that the total amount of groundwater pumped by human beings from 1993 to 2010 was about 210 billion tons, and the change of groundwater distribution caused the earth's poles to drift by 80 cm. The relevant research papers were published in the latest issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research Communications.

The Earth is not a perfect sphere, it swings a few meters like a gyroscope every year. The two poles of the Earth will also drift due to changes in the distribution of mass around the Earth, such as seasonal water movement. However, there are many factors that contribute to polar drift, including reservoir storage and groundwater extraction, as well as glacier melting and sea level rise caused by climate change. However, it is not yet clear what specific impacts each change will have.

In the latest study, the research team modeled the drift of Earth's poles using the total amount of groundwater extracted between 1993 and 2010 (approximately 210 billion tons) and the corresponding sea level rise (estimated at 0.3 millimeters per year). It was found that extracting groundwater caused polar drift of up to 80 centimeters, with large aquifers located in mid latitude regions having the greatest impact on polar drift.

Researchers point out that most people are not aware of the Earth's wobble or drift, and this drift itself does not have a special impact on daily duration or seasonal changes. However, knowing the precise position of the Earth's axis is crucial for work related to GPS technology.

The latest findings indicate that the volume of groundwater extracted by people is so large that it can cause polar drift. The acceleration of groundwater extraction in the 21st century is partly due to drought, which is mainly driven by climate change and the increasing number of crops growing in arid areas.

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