Asger Risom
NASA scientists have revealed that China’s colossal Three Gorges Dam has subtly shifted Earth’s axis—and even altered the length of our days. The man-made megastructure is proof that human engineering can have planetary-scale effects.
NASA scientists have revealed that China’s colossal Three Gorges Dam has subtly shifted Earth’s axis—and even altered the length of our days. The man-made megastructure is proof that human engineering can have planetary-scale effects.
A Dam That Changed the Planet
Built over a decade and completed in 2006, the Three Gorges Dam turned the Yangtze River into a 10 trillion-gallon reservoir. Now, nearly 18 years later, scientists say it’s affecting the Earth’s spin.
Earth’s Axis Shifted by Nearly an Inch
According to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the dam shifted Earth’s rotation axis by about two centimeters—or roughly three-quarters of an inch—by redistributing mass on the planet’s surface.
How It Happened
By storing an immense volume of water above sea level, the dam added weight to Earth’s crust. This shift in mass changed the planet’s moment of inertia, subtly altering its rotation.
Our Days Are Now Longer
The change may be small, but measurable: Earth’s rotation has slowed slightly, making our days just a bit longer. It’s a reminder of how even minute geophysical shifts can ripple through the planet’s systems.
A Man-Made Echo of Natural Disasters
Similar effects have occurred naturally. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, for example, shifted the planet’s axis and shortened the day by microseconds. The dam’s impact is on par with such seismic events.
A Powerhouse of Electricity
The Three Gorges Dam generates an average of 0.54 terawatt-hours of electricity daily—enough to power 5.4 million homes for a month—making it a cornerstone of China’s energy strategy.
Environmental Toll and Displacement
The dam’s creation forced 1.2 million people to relocate. It also submerged around 370 miles of ecosystems and landscapes, some of which had existed for centuries.
A Marvel With Consequences
Praised as a marvel of engineering, the dam also raises questions about the environmental and geophysical cost of such megaprojects. The shifting axis is just one of many unforeseen effects.
Confirmed by Scientific Research
A 2010 study in Geophysical Research Letters supported NASA’s findings, suggesting large-scale infrastructure can influence Earth’s delicate geophysical balance in significant ways.
A Call for Caution
Experts stress the need for greater scrutiny and environmental forecasting before launching similar projects. The Earth’s systems, they argue, are more sensitive to human action than previously believed.
Engineering at a Planetary Scale
From power generation to axis shifts, the Three Gorges Dam exemplifies how human infrastructure can shape not just the environment—but the very mechanics of the planet itself.
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, which may have used AI in the preparation
