[Rockhounds] Earth's Rotation Is Slowing Down, And Could Explain Why We Have Oxygen

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Ever since its formation around 4.5 billion years ago, Earth's rotation has
been gradually slowing down, and its days have gotten progressively longer
as a result.

While Earth's slowdown is not noticeable on human timescales, it's enough
to work significant changes over eons. One of those changes is perhaps the
most significant of all, at least to us: lengthening days are linked to the
oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere, according to a study from 2021.

Specifically, the blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) that emerged and
proliferated about 2.4 billion years ago would have been able to produce
more oxygen as a metabolic by-product because Earth's days grew longer.

"An enduring question in Earth sciences has been how did Earth's atmosphere
get its oxygen, and what factors controlled when this oxygenation took
place," microbiologist Gregory Dick
<https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/923631> of the University of
Michigan explained in 2021.

"Our research suggests that the rate at which Earth is spinning – in other
words, its day length – may have had an important effect on the pattern and
timing of Earth's oxygenation."

https://www.sciencealert.com/earths-rotation-is-slowing-down-and-could-explain-why-we-have-oxygen