Climate change

Study: Dams Shifted Earth's Poles by 3.7 Feet Since 1835

Published JUL 10 2025

Story

Above: Glen Canyon Dam, United States. Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

Construction of nearly 7,000 dams from 1835 to 2011 shifted Earth's poles approximately 113 centimeters (3.7 feet) in total and caused a 21-millimeter drop in global sea levels, according to a new study published in Geophysical Research Letters.
PHYS
Engineering and Technology Magazine
The amount of water impounded behind these dams is reportedly enough to fill the Grand Canyon twice over, redistributing mass around the planet's surface and causing the Earth's crust to shift relative to the molten rock mantle below through a process called true polar wander.
AGU Newsroom
Earthsky
Dam construction occurred in two distinct phases: from 1835 to 1954, North American and European dam building moved the North Pole 20.5 centimeters toward the 103rd meridian east, while from 1954 to 2011, East African and Asian construction shifted it 57 centimeters toward the 117th meridian west.
Live Science
Onlinelibrary
The polar shift rate accelerated in the second half of the 20th century, increasing from 0.30 centimeters per year in the first half to 0.95 centimeters per year in the second half. Approximately 104 centimeters of the total movement occurred during the 20th century.
PHYS
Engineering and Technology Magazine
Onlinelibrary
Researchers found that humans trapped approximately 25% of the average annual sea level rise behind dams during the 20th century, when global sea levels rose by an average of 1.2 millimeters per year, indicating the impact of water impoundment on ocean levels.
AGU Newsroom
Earthsky

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The Spin

Climate-concerned narrative

This groundbreaking research reveals how human engineering has literally moved the planet. The construction of thousands of dams represents humanity's incredible ability to reshape Earth's fundamental processes through large-scale infrastructure projects.

PHYS

Engineering and Technology Magazine

Climate-skeptic narrative

While the polar shift demonstrates human impact on planetary systems, the movement is relatively small and won't cause any catastrophic changes like a new ice age. This research primarily helps scientists better understand natural processes and improve their predictions of sea level changes.

AGU Newsroom

Earthsky