Earth's center of mass drifts less than we thought

The Earth's center of mass drifts by millimeters over the years, but the shift is smaller than previously thought. This new study uses GPS data and low-orbit satellites to improve accuracy, reducing uncertainty to less than a millimeter. The results show that seasonal changes in Earth's center of mass are about half of earlier estimates, indicating that less water and air move between hemispheres, and the two regions are less interconnected than previously believed. The study also highlights long-term shifts due to geological effects, which can influence Earth's rotational speed.

• The study improves upon previous measurements by incorporating more precise data from GPS and low-orbit satellites.
• The seasonal drift is about half of earlier estimates, suggesting reduced interhemispheric exchange of water and air.
• The results show that Earth's center of mass is not as responsive to global changes as previously thought.
• The findings have implications for understanding geological processes and their impact on Earth's rotation and satellite orbits.

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