Greek geologist finds Earth's shape shifting as poles rise and equator sinks

September 20, 2026 at 07:41 AM1 min

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Greek geologist Christopher Kotsakis has identified significant geophysical changes in Earth's shape, with equatorial regions gradually sinking and polar areas rising. The findings, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, show polar uplift rates have nearly doubled to about 1 millimeter per year over the past two decades.

Key Facts

Polar uplift rates have nearly doubled to about 1 millimeter per year over the past two decades, up from 0.5 millimeters annually.
The study was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.
Melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are identified as a primary driver of the crustal movement.

The Study

Greek geologist Christopher Kotsakis published the findings in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. The research shows that Earth's equatorial regions are gradually sinking while areas near the poles are rising. Over the past two decades, polar uplift rates have nearly doubled from about 0.5 millimeters per year to approximately 1 millimeter per year.

Ice Melt Mechanism

Kotsakis identifies the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica as a primary cause of the observed crustal movement. As glaciers melt, pressure on the Earth's crust decreases, allowing previously ice-covered regions to gradually rebound upward. The meltwater flows into the oceans, increasing water mass and exerting greater pressure on the ocean floor, which deforms downward.

Planetary Shape Change

These opposing vertical movements in different parts of the planet contribute to changes in Earth's overall shape. The phenomenon coincides with a reduction in Earth's oblateness, meaning the planet is becoming less flattened at the poles. Earth's shape is not changing as a single rigid body; instead, different parts of the solid crust move in different directions under geophysical processes.