Overview

• Scientists estimate that 2,150 gigatons of groundwater were pumped from beneath Earth's surface between 1993 and 2010, contributing to a 31.5-inch eastward shift in the planet's axis.
• The redistribution of groundwater, primarily for irrigation and drinking water, has been identified as the largest climate-related factor affecting Earth's rotational pole drift.
• Regions such as northwestern India and western North America, which experienced significant groundwater depletion, had the most pronounced effects on the planet's tilt.
• This groundwater extraction also contributed to a 0.24-inch rise in global sea levels during the 17-year study period, exacerbating the effects of climate change.
• While the tilt does not affect seasons, researchers warn that such shifts could have long-term impacts on climate and highlight the need for sustained groundwater conservation efforts.