"Unprecedented Groundwater Pumping Alters Earth's Rotational Pole, Study Finds"

Groundwater pumping is causing Earth's rotational pole to shift due to the redistribution of water mass from continents to oceans. This depletion of groundwater has also contributed to a rise in global sea levels by 6.24 mm from 1993 to 2010. While the shift in the rotational pole is not a major concern, the negative effects of groundwater depletion include water scarcity, threats to aquatic ecosystems, and decreased water flow in streams. Without better management, a significant percentage of watersheds that rely on groundwater may struggle to maintain healthy ecosystems by 2050.