Logo

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

Last Updated: 18.06.2025 02:49

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

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

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

Does the Lil Wayne song ‘Lollipop’ refers to a Lollipop sweet or a metaphor?

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

Does the solid Earth + the oceans stop spinning?

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

Astronomers discover ultrapowerful black hole jet as bright as 10 trillion suns lit by Big Bang's afterglow - Space

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.

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

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

Is there such a thing as "left wing fascism"? If not, what is an example of a political ideology that is often mistakenly labeled as "left wing fascism"?

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

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

Does the rocky planet alone stop spinning?

I see ugly guys dating gorgeous, "hot" women all the time. I, too, am not very attractive but I'm not doing well with the ladies. What's their secret?

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