2024-04-24 06:08:39
At the highest point of South America is the snowy Huascaran, a giant among mountains that not only defies heights, but also the laws of physics. This peak, located in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, is the place with the lowest gravity on our planet, according to a study by Geophysical Research Letters. After this discovery, the great snow, which reaches a height of 6,768 mceased to be a challenge only for mountaineers, as it became a natural site for scientific studies.
The revelation involving this specific point on Earth came through the study of the name ‘New ultrahigh-resolution picture of Earth’s gravity field’, which pointed out this place as having the lightest gravity unlike others on the planet. With precise measurements determining the gravity at this summit to be 9.7639 m/s², lower than the global average of 9.807 m/s², this study recalibrates our understanding of Earth’s gravitational distribution.
The least gravity in the snowy Huascaran It is due to a combination of geophysical and geographic factors. The extreme altitude of the mountain and its location close to the Earth’s equator, where the effect of centrifugal force is more present, contributes to this phenomenon. Furthermore, the density of the land mass in this region plays a crucial role in the observed gravitational variation. According to the scientific article, this is the first work of its kind to model gravity at ‘ultra-fine scales’.
The force of gravity it is not uniform
The force of gravity is one of the four fundamental forces of the universe, responsible for the attraction between masses. Was Isaac Newton who, in 1687, formulated the law of universal gravitation, providing a deep understanding of how gravity works. However, the strength of this is not the same throughout the planet, as it varies depending on where you are, that is, if in one place your weight is 100 kg, in another place the scale may read 99, 3 kg.
Gravity variations on the surface. Photo: X/@PachoForeroD.
According to what an article by National Geographic, gravity does not behave uniformly because the Earth is not a perfect sphere and its mass is not uniformly distributed. Furthermore, the different types of rocks, minerals and geological features They cause variations in the gravitational force. Mountains, ocean basins, and other land structures contribute to this uneven distribution of mass.
These variations in gravity are studied by geophysics and geodesy through specific satellite missions, such as the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) from NASA, which measures changes in the Earth’s gravitational field to better understand aspects such as changes in groundwater, melting glaciers and the movement of tectonic plates. Understanding these variations is crucial for applications ranging from precision navigation to space mission planning and the study of climate change.
The importance of gravity on Earth
Earth’s gravity is essential to understanding both natural phenomena and technological developments. At a scientific level, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) states that gravity is one of the four fundamental forces of the universe, which makes its study crucial for physics. This knowledge allows, for example, to place satellites in orbit around the Earth, essential for GPS systems, telecommunications and observation of the planet. In addition, it is essential in space exploration, since it allows calculating the trajectories of rockets and spacecraft towards other celestial bodies.
First global map of the gravitational field obtained by the GOCE Mission. Photo: ESA.
On the other hand, gravity affects numerous aspects of daily life and the environment. Influences engineering and architecture, since the design of buildings and structures must take it into account to guarantee their stability and safety. In Earth science, gravity plays a crucial role in the circulation of oceanic and atmospheric currents, affecting climate and weather. Furthermore, studies in microgravity conditions, such as those carried out in the International Space Stationhelp understand the effects of gravity on living beings, which has important implications for biology and medicine.