NASA has made an incredible discovery about China’s Three Gorges Dam. The massive hydroelectric structure, which holds 40 billion cubic meters of water, doesn’t just produce electricity—it can also slightly alter Earth’s rotation.
According to NASA, the act of filling the dam’s reservoir can make Earth’s days longer by 0.06 microseconds.
The Three Gorges Dam, standing 185 meters tall and stretching over 2 kilometers, is the largest hydroelectric plant in the world. It produces 22,500 MW of power and has reshaped energy production in China. However, its impact goes beyond energy.
When the dam’s massive reservoir fills, it redistributes the Earth’s mass, affecting its rotation. While the change is tiny, it’s a reminder of how large human-made projects can influence planetary systems.
This isn’t the first time human activity has affected Earth’s rotation. For example, the 2004 Indonesian tsunami shifted the North Pole and shortened Earth’s days by 2.68 microseconds. The removal of groundwater between 1993 and 2010 also shifted the Earth’s axis.
While these changes are minor, they highlight humanity’s growing impact on the planet. The Three Gorges Dam serves as a powerful symbol of human innovation and its far-reaching consequences.
