what if the earth stopped spinning

1 year ago 50
Nature

If the Earth stopped spinning all at once, it would be enormously catastrophic for much of the planets surface. Here are some of the things that would happen:

  • Flying objects: Everything sitting on top of the Earth would go flying eastward. People, houses, trees, boulders, and more would be launched sideways at hundreds of miles an hour.

  • Earthquakes and tsunamis: Moving rocks and oceans would trigger earthquakes and tsunamis.

  • Atmospheric changes: Atmospheric patterns on Earth are tied to the planet's rotation. If the planet stopped spinning, it would greatly change the way air currents move (once the 1,000 mph winds had died down). The wind patterns we see today play a significant role in driving rainfall and other weather patterns.

  • Climate changes: If Earth were to stop spinning but continue to orbit the sun, a "day" would last half a year, and so would the night. This would affect the climate on Earth. It could warm up much more during the day and cool down much more during the night.

  • Geographical changes: When global rotation stops, the massive oceanic water migration would cease and sea level would be at different locations, completely changing world geography.

It's important to note that the Earth's rotation is what causes the Coriolis effect, which influences the direction of winds and ocean currents. If the Earth stopped spinning, the Coriolis effect would disappear, and the winds and ocean currents would change direction.