How Earth's Slowing Rotation Will Impact the Planet's Distant Future

Earth rotates once every 24 hours, but there's evidence to suggest that our planet's rotation is slowing down. So what's causing that to happen? Look no further than the Moon.

As the Moon orbits around Earth, it creates a tidal influence over our planet's waters and generates tidal friction. As you might have already guessed, this tidal friction fights against the Earth's natural spin.

Earth's rotation is slowing down so gradually that you and I will never notice it. Scientists estimate that it should take at least another 180 million years before a day on Earth becomes 25 hours long rather than 24.

Notably, a slower planetary rotation could impact Earth's habitability in the distant future. It could tamper with the planet's magnetic field, throw the four seasons out of whack, and make Earth more vulnerable to solar radiation, among other things.