NASA’s New 3D Model Shows the Earth Is a Lumpy Mess
NASA has released a new, exaggerated 3D geoid model visualizing Earth's gravitational field, which reveals irregular bulges caused by mass distribution. This data is essential for tracking climate-related changes, such as ice loss in Antarctica and Greenland, as well as global groundwater depletion.
Why it matters
Precise gravitational measurements are vital for climate science, helping researchers quantify the impact of global warming on sea levels and water security.
NASA has released a new geoid model showing the shape of Earth’s gravitational field. The slight, irregular bulges and depressions are caused by variations in the distribution of mass within the planet. It can also be imagined as the surface a global ocean would take if it were determined solely by Earth’s own gravity and rotation.
The visualization is an exaggerated geoid, with heights multiplied by a factor of 10,000 in order to show the variations in the gravitational field. NASA created this lumpy version of Earth using models and data from satellites, which can detect minute differences in gravity at different locations. The dataset stretches back 15 years and includes a billion observations. NASA also shared an interactive 3D model of the geoid that you can explore here, as well as a longer video.
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