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

story

JUL 10

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

story last updated JUL 10

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