The Earth rotates in a specific direction, from West to East. But have you ever wondered what would happen if our planet suddenly stopped and then started spinning in the opposite direction? If so, then here’s a video you might be interested in.
We have no way of magically switching the Earth’s rotation, so scientists rely heavily on computer simulations to discern how the planet would change if it started rotating in the other direction. Among some of the most notable changes would be:
- Trade winds would reverse themselves, moving Eastward instead of Westward
- Westbound flight times would become shorter
- Many known desert lands would transform into grassy landscapes
- Other deserts would shrink, resulting in more plant cover on Earth
- Europe would endure colder winders as winds from Russia blow Westward
- Much of the Northern Atlantic Ocean would become colder
- The Sunset would occur to the East instead of the West
- And much more…
Some of these consequences are obvious, but others are the result of unforeseen domino effects that would transpire from a planetary counter-rotation. So while it seems like a minor change, switching Earth’s rotational direction would change a lot about the planet.