Earth’s rotation slowing down due to melting ice, scientists say

Less ice at the Earth’s poles and more water weight spread around to other places are leading to the planet slowing down.

As the polar ice caps melt, the Earth actually slows down, California scientists say.

Less ice at the Earth’s poles and more water weight spread around to other places are leading to the planet slowing down.

“Human activity has changed the rotation of the Earth,” University of California, San Diego geophysics Professor Duncan Agnew said.

Earth’s rotation has been speeding up slightly for decades, but changes are unfolding.

“That trend slowed, turned around, and is now going in the other direction,” Agnew said. “That’s all because of the effect of global warming.”

Read more on NBC News.