Melting ice solves leap-second problem — for now

Mitrovica, Jerry X.

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Humans’ effect on the polar ice sheets is slowing Earth’s rotation, posing challenges for its alignment with the official time standard. Two researchers discuss the science behind the slowdown and the impact it has on timekeeping.

By

  1. Patrizia Tavella

    1. Patrizia Tavella is in the Time Department, International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), 92312 Sèvres Cedex, France.

  2. Jerry X. Mitrovica

    1. Jerry X. Mitrovica is in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.

THE TOPIC IN BRIEF

Nature 628, 273-274 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00850-x

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Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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