Planet Earth tilted 80 centimeters, why?

The axis of planet Earth tiled by approximately 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) to the east in less than two decades, according to a research published in Geophysical Research Letters, but why? 

Scientists have identified a surprising reason behind these changes: Human activity, specifically groundwater extraction.

Between 1993 and 2010, over 2,150 gigatons of groundwater were pumped from reservoirs, primarily in mid-latitude regions like western North America and northwest India

This massive redistribution of water contributed to the 80.01 centimeter tilt in the Earth’s rotational axis by 31.5 inches toward the east.

Groundwater acts as a balancing weight on the planet’s crust. Removing and redistributing this water—whether for agriculture, urbanization, or industrial purposes—affects Earth's mass distribution, subtly altering its rotation.

The research highlighted that this effect on polar motion surpasses the impact of melting glaciers or ice sheets alone.

The consequences of such shifts, while not immediately affecting daily life, could have implications over geological time scales. For example, changes in polar drift might impact climate patterns and global sea levels.

For reference, this 80.01 centimeter drift is 0.000000007146 degrees or 0.000000001983% of a full rotation.