The actual speed of Earth’s spin depends on where you are because the planet moves fastest around the equator. At Earth’s equator, the speed of Earth’s spin is about 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km per hour). For places in higher latitudes like NYC, the Earth spins at around 789 mph. This is because the Earth is widest at the equator and narrower at the poles. An equatorial city like Quito in Ecuador has to travel a lot farther in 24 hours to reach its starting position than New York City. We don

Earth Is Spinning Faster Than Ever — And Time Is Literally Slipping Away Earth’s rotation is accelerating, and the planet is now experiencing some of the shortest days ever recorded. Scientists have confirmed that July 9, 2025, is expected to mark a historic milestone in timekeeping, as Earth completes its rotation slightly faster than the standard 24 hours. This phenomenon is so extreme that experts are discussing the unprecedented idea of a negative leap second—essentially removing a second fr