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

Last Updated: 18.06.2025 07:12

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

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

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

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

Can Donald Trump use the Alien Friends Act of 1798 to give ALL illegal immigrants an ultimatum: You have 1 month to leave America, after which you will be arrested and jailed for 3 years?

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.

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

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

I feel so attached and in love with a dead celebrity. My love for anyone else is overshadowed by my love for him. What does this mean?

Does the solid Earth + the oceans stop spinning?

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 the rocky planet alone stop spinning?

How do you emotionally react to when others seem to feel sorry for you?

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

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

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

I am still studying engineering. I feel worried being an average student. Can I get a good job in placement, buy a house, and a car? I don't know why I feel this.

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