Mangaluru: Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader inaugurates floating bridge at Panambur beach
Mangaluru (PTI): The newly constructed floating sea bridge at Panambur beach here was inaugurated by Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader.
The bridge is set to be the new attraction at the beach, which has been witnessing an increasing inflow of tourists in recent years. This is the second floating bridge in the twin coastal districts, the first one having opened at Malpe beach in Udupi.
Kadali beach tourism development committee, a unit of Bhandary Builders, has constructed the 125-metre-long bridge, which was inaugurated on Wednesday.
A total of 12 life guards and additional security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of tourists. A maximum of 50 people can watch the sunset on the floating bridge.
Khader, in his speech, said that he will hold talks with Tourism Minister H K Patil to accord priority for development of beach tourism.
Laxmish Bhandary and Rajesh Hukkeri, partners of the beach development committee, were present.
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Groundwater depletion causes Earth's axis to shift by 31.5 inches: Study
A recent study has uncovered a significant impact of human activity on the planet: Earth's axis has shifted by 31.5 inches (nearly 80 centimeters) due to extensive groundwater extraction. Published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the research highlights how large-scale pumping of groundwater has changed the distribution of Earth's mass, affecting its rotation and contributing to sea-level rise. The shift in Earth's tilt is linked to a sea-level increase of 0.24 inches, according to Popular Mechanics.
Lead researcher Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University, explained that among climate-related factors, the redistribution of groundwater has had the most significant effect on the movement of Earth's rotational pole. The planet's tilt, or axial precession, is influenced by changes in mass distribution. As glaciers and polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica melt, water migrates towards the equator, shifting the planet's balance—a phenomenon comparable to how a figure skater’s spin changes when they alter their body position.
The study examined data from 1993 to 2010, revealing that approximately 2,150 gigatons of groundwater were pumped out during this time, largely for agricultural and human consumption. This large-scale extraction has contributed to a shift in Earth's axis of about 31.5 inches.
Groundwater, which is water stored underground in soil and rock, plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle. It originates from precipitation that seeps into the earth, replenishing natural aquifers. These aquifers are vital freshwater resources, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry. The availability and quality of groundwater depend on natural factors like recharge rates and human activity.
While the 31.5-inch shift in Earth's axis might seem minor, the consequences could be far-reaching over geological timescales. Changes in water distribution can lead to varying sea-level changes across regions, affecting coastal areas differently. Additionally, shifts in Earth's tilt can influence its internal systems, such as the magnetic field, which acts as a shield against harmful solar radiation.
