Three Gorges Dam
Spanning the Yangtze River in Hubei province, the Three Gorges Dam measures 2,335 meters in length and 185 meters in height. Its reservoir stretches 600 kilometres and holds up to 39.3 cubic kilometres of water.
Largest Hydroelectric Facility
With an installed capacity of 22,500 megawatts, the Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric power station globally, producing approximately 88.2 billion kWh of electricity annually.
Impact on Earth's Rotation
According to NASA scientists, the dam's reservoir alters Earth's moment of inertia due to the immense weight of stored water. This redistribution of mass slightly reduces the speed of Earth's rotation.
Increase in Day Length
The change in Earth's rotation has increased the length of a day by about 0.06 microseconds. While the effect is negligible in daily life, it holds scientific significance.
Subtle Changes in Earth's Shape
Filling the reservoir would make Earth slightly rounder at the equator and flatter at the poles, while also shifting the planet's pole position by approximately two centimetres.
Environmental and Social Impact
The dam has caused significant environmental changes, including the displacement of over 1.2 million people and the flooding of large areas of land.
Future Hydroelectric Projects
China plans to build a larger dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which could have greater effects on Earth's rotation and environmental conditions.
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