Leap Second Could Be Abolished Earlier Due to Earth's Increasing Rotation Speed

Earth's unusually accelerating rotation has brought the abolition of the leap second system, used to synchronize global timekeeping systems, much earlier than the planned 2035 date. Officials are taking urgent steps to prevent potential disruptions.

Signal of Change in the Leap Second Practice

The end of the road may have arrived for the leap second practice, which for decades has kept Coordinated Universal Time synchronized with Earth's daily rotation.

Versailles Conference and Meeting Agenda

The International Bureau of Weights and Measures is convening its governing body for the General Conference in Versailles this week, as it does every four to six years.

2035 Target and New Plans

In a 2022 vote, timekeepers had decided to phase out the leap second gradually by the year 2035.

Earth's Accelerating Rotation

According to reports by the Financial Times, Earth's unusually fast rotation over the past decade has led to unexpected changes in the plans.

Negative Leap Second Risk

The possibility of implementing a negative leap second for the first time before 2035—meaning the deletion of a second—is worrying scientists and officials.

Chaos Concerns in Digital Systems

Scientists warn that this unprecedented step could create major confusion in digitally timestamped continuity.

Urgent Draft and Accelerated Process

Officials known as the guardians of time are evaluating an urgent draft resolution to accelerate the process of abolishing the leap second in order to prevent these risks.