Apparently, June 29, 2022 was the shortest day recorded in recent years and that is because the earth’s spin on its axis has been gradually increasing since 2016.

The Daily Caller provides more details:

June 29 was 1.59 milliseconds shorter than the average day, according to EarthSky. The shortened day is the latest in a series of record-breaking speed records for our home planet since around 2020, the outlet noted.

Earth was gradually slowing down, which is why we have to add a leap day every four years to make up for the additional time, according to EarthSky. Researchers are unsure why Earth suddenly started speeding up in recent years but will present ideas at the 19th annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS), the outlet reported.

READ: Earth Is Speeding Up As We Hurtle Through Space. Here’s What We Know So Far