Nature· 2026Q1
Gravitational torque drives multidecadal variations in length of day
- 2citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Gravitational torque, acting on Earth's core-mantle boundary, drives multidecadal variations in the length of day, with electromagnetic and topographic forces providing resistance.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Gravitational torque is the main force causing multidecadal changes in Earth's length of day.
- Electromagnetic and topographic forces act as resistances to these length-of-day variations.
- The study improves understanding of the deep Earth's material properties and dynamics.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Multidecadal fluctuations in Earth’s length of day are shown to be driven by gravitational torque and resisted by electromagnetic and topographic forces, improving our understanding of the material properties and dynamics of Earth’s deep interior.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Nature, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy and AstrophysicsPhysics and Astronomy