Groundwater Extraction Tilts the Earth

June 19, 2023

The Earth’s axis, the point along which the planet rotates, has experienced a significant tilt of nearly 80 cm to the east. This tilt has been attributed to the pumping and movement of groundwater, as revealed by a recent study. Additionally, the study highlights the substantial volume of groundwater pumped and drained into the oceans, contributing to global sea-level rise.

Understanding the Earth’s Axis Tilt

The Earth’s axis exhibits a wobbling motion influenced by various factors such as weather, seasonal changes, the molten core, and powerful hurricanes.
Previous studies had already established that the movement of water plays a role in the wobble.
However, it was not until the study conducted by scientists at the Seoul National University that the significance of groundwater in this phenomenon was recognized.

Linking Groundwater Pumping and Axis Tilt

Using a climate model, the researchers associated the shift in the Earth’s axis with the movement of water, including melting ice caps and glaciers.
The model initially failed to match the observed drift of the axis until groundwater was incorporated into the equation.
This discovery unveils groundwater pumping as a previously unconsidered factor in the Earth’s axis tilt.

Impact on Sea-Level Rise

Notably, the study revealed that approximately 2,150 billion tonnes of groundwater were pumped and drained into the oceans between 1993 and 2010.
This substantial volume contributed significantly to global sea-level rise, amounting to 6.24 mm during the specified period.
Groundwater pumping emerged as an unexpected source of sea-level rise, raising concerns among scientists and experts.

Concerns and Regional Implications

The location of groundwater depletion plays a crucial role in the extent of axis drift.
The study found that mid-latitude areas, particularly northwest India and western North America, experienced significant groundwater redistribution and depletion.
In India, groundwater depletion is a particular concern in North India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, as well as parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
The indiscriminate use of groundwater for irrigation purposes in these regions has resulted in critical groundwater levels and poses a threat to sustainable water resources.

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