Earth Once Had Just 19-Hour-Long Days

According to a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Earth once had just 19-hour-long days due to the presence of the Moon.

The movement of Earth in space is influenced by various astronomical bodies. (Photo: Getty)

Earth once had days that were only 19 hours long, a stark contrast to the current 24-hour cycle, which is the result of the planets rotation on its own axis.

During a period known as the "boring billion," two geophysicists discovered that Earth experienced a slowdown in its rotation due to reduced tectonic activity and a delicate balance of gravitational forces.

In a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, researchers noted that this stalling coincided with a time of limited biological evolution, hence the name "boring billion."

Moon had a big role in slowing the planet's spin. (Photo: Nasa)

The Moon played a significant role during this era, exerting a stronger gravitational pull due to its closer proximity to Earth. Over ...