What is the speed of Earth's rotation?

The speed of Earth's rotation varies depending on the location, but at the equator, it's approximately 1,038 miles per hour (1,670 kilometers per hour), or roughly 1,000 mi/hr.

Understanding Earth's Rotational Speed

Earth's rotation isn't uniform across its surface. This is because the circumference of the Earth decreases as you move from the equator towards the poles. To complete one rotation in approximately 24 hours, points closer to the poles travel a shorter distance than those at the equator.

Rotational Speed at the Equator

As stated in the reference, the Earth's circumference at the equator is 24,901 miles (40,075 kilometers). The Earth takes about 24 hours to complete one full rotation. Therefore, at the equator, the rotational speed is:

• Average Speed: Approximately 1,038 miles per hour (1,670 kilometers per hour), or roughly 1,000 miles per hour.
• Calculation: 24,901 miles / 24 hours ≈ 1,038 mph.

Rotational Speed at Other Latitudes

Moving away from the equator, the circumference decreases and therefore, the speed decreases accordingly.

• Higher Latitudes: At locations further from the equator, the speed of Earth's rotation is less than the speed at the equator because the distance is shorter.

Key Points:

• Variable Speed: Earth's rotational speed is not constant across its surface, being the fastest at the equator.
• Reference: The provided reference details Earth's circumference at the equator (24,901 miles) and divides it by 24 hours, concluding that the rotational speed is about 1,038 mph at the equator.

In Summary