Three Gorges Dam Made the Earth Slow Down By a Few Seconds. Will Three Gorges Dam Affect the Earth's Rotation?
1. Three Gorges Dam Slows Down the EarthOn March 20, 2022, at 10:55, the Three Gorges Dam caused the Earth to slow down by 0.06 milliseconds. The dam in China is so massive that it impacts the Earth's rotation, decreasing the speed of the Earth's rotation. It's not the dam's size itself that slows down the Earth's rotation, but the volume of water stored by the dam that affects the Earth's rotation, adding 0.06 milliseconds to each day...
2. The Impact of Three Gorges Dam on the Earth's Axial TiltSome claim that the Three Gorges Dam has caused the Earth to tilt by 3 cm. Before addressing this claim, let's introduce the Earth's axial tilt and deviation. The axial tilt is the Earth's oblique axis, also known as the Earth's rotational axis. Research shows that the moon's strong gravitational force continuously affects the Earth, leading to changes in the Earth's rotation speed...
3. Three Gorges Dam’s Influence on Earth’s OrbitIn August 2021, the discussion revolved around whether the periodic orbital changes caused by the Three Gorges Dam would affect the amount of solar radiation received by the Earth and subsequently impact the Earth's temperature. The theory suggested that the oscillation induced by precession would influence the temporal and spatial distribution of surface heat...
4. Three Gorges Dam and Earth's Axial DisplacementThere were claims in April 2023 that the Three Gorges Dam had caused the Earth's axis to shift by 3 cm. However, it is essential to note that the Earth's rotation is primarily influenced by outer space. Even significant changes occurring in the entire solar system would not impact the Earth's rotation. Assertions that the Three Gorges Dam construction led to a 3 cm shift in the Earth's axial deviation are baseless...
5. Addressing Misconceptions about Three Gorges DamSome rumors like the Three Gorges Dam leading to Earth's pole shift or causing earthquakes have circulated. Nonetheless, the misinformation claiming that the dam affects the Earth's rotation speed seems to be unique. When considering the significant volume of water stored by the Three Gorges Dam, it is clear that this structure's impact on the Earth's overall rotation is minimal...
6. Disproving Claims of Three Gorges Dam Altering Earth's RotationIn October 2023, it was stated that the Three Gorges Dam did not offset the Earth's rotational axis. After the Three Gorges Dam fills to capacity, more than 390 billion cubic meters of water can be stored. While this figure may seem substantial to us, it is relatively minor in the context of the entire Earth. Additionally, NASA scientists concluded that the dam, when full, may increase the Earth's rotation time by 0.06 microseconds and shift the North Pole by 2 cm, posing no significant concerns...
Based on the data and facts presented above, it is evident that while the Three Gorges Dam has some impact on the Earth's rotation in terms of microseconds and slightly affecting the North Pole's position, the overall influence is minimal and should not be cause for alarm.