... nuances. Moreover, scientists need to adjust the reference time (UTC) with additional seconds every few years, as the Earth's rotation is gradually slowing down naturally. Now, this slowdown has been contributed to by the Chinese hydropower station. Geophysical Consequences and Long-Term Risks What geophysical consequences could arise from such a tiny yet symbolic slow down? A shift of the Earth’s axis by a couple of centimeters does not directly trigger catastrophes – the Earth's axis continually wobbles ...