What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning for one minute?

Last Updated: 02.07.2025 03:33

What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning for one minute?

If the whole Earth stops by magic, with the angular momentum just vanishing and then reappearing, then the result is very minor. Every clock on Earth would need to be recalibrated against our satellites (unless they magically got paused as well). Siderial, solar, and atomic time would all be out of sync. Other than that, everybody would want to know: What the heck just happened? How did Earth magically stop and start again? But everybody is just fine.

If only the atmosphere keeps going, Earth’s surface is blasted with winds moving at hundreds of miles per hour. Most people die.

Bottom line: Depending on the underlying intent of the question, the answer could be anything from the destruction of the planet and every living thing, to a minor inconvenience that requires resetting our clocks.

States Are Making It Easier to Get Ivermectin - Newser

Does the rocky planet alone stop spinning?

Does the whole planet (from core to atmosphere) stop spinning?

If it stops by magic, does all the energy from Earth’s angular momentum also disappear by magic, or is it released as heat?

Where and how did ballet originate?

The answer depends entirely on how you interpret the question, which is why you see so many completely different responses.

If Earth’s rotation is stopped by a collision, everyone dies. The planet is destroyed.

If Earth’s rotation is stopped and all the angular momentum is released as heat, everyone dies.

SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base Saturday morning - KSBY News

If the oceans keep going, Earth’s surface is scoured clean by tsunamis moving at hundreds of miles per hour. Nearly everyone dies.

“What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning for one minute?”

Does it stop due to a massive collision, or does it stop by magic?

Do Republicans realize that the power of the people is invested in 'representative government'? If so, why did they elect a pathological liar?

Does the solid Earth + the oceans stop spinning?