# Perhaps repeat query: If the Earth had always spun the other way, how would things be different? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 17, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069 "2012-10-17T21:19:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/21 "2012-10-18T09:45:58Z")
Clocks would go around backwards. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/22 "2012-10-18T09:49:53Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Clocks would go around backwards. Anticlockwise, not backwards. Assuming that in this scenario they would still be based on conventions arising from the visual appearance of sundials in the Northern Hemisphere. Except of course, we would still call it ‘clockwise’. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/23 "2012-10-18T15:23:30Z")
> [@Michael63129](#): > > For one, winds would generally blow in the opposite direction, which would have significant effects on the location of deserts (those formed by mountains, as opposed to subtropical deserts which occur due to the [general atmospheric circulation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_circulation)); for example, the western U.S. might be much wetter than it is now because the Rockies wouldn’t be in the way and moisture from the Gulf would flow westwards (the west coast would be much drier though due to the same mountains and a lack of offshore storms). This seems like one of the biggest effects. The Amazon would look more like the Outback and vice versa. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/24 "2012-10-18T15:31:28Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > .eciton neve t’ndlouw snamuh hcihw fo ynam ,secnereffid eltbus lareves eb dlouw ylbaborp ereht tub ,tciderp ot tluciffiD .sihT ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/25 "2012-10-18T16:46:39Z")
Would continental drift have occurred differently? Would we end up with the same continents as today at all? ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/26 "2012-10-18T17:19:00Z")
> [@Michael63129](#): > > For one, winds would generally blow in the opposite direction, which would have significant effects on the location of deserts (those formed by mountains, as opposed to subtropical deserts which occur due to the [general atmospheric circulation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_circulation)); for example, the western U.S. might be much wetter than it is now because the Rockies wouldn’t be in the way and moisture from the Gulf would flow westwards (the west coast would be much drier though due to the same mountains and a lack of offshore storms). Another fun effect would be that tropical storms would predominantly move from west to east and slam into the eastern coasts of oceans. In the Pacific, all the typhoons that hit Asia would now head towards California and Mexico instead. Peru and Chile would probably see some action as well. In the Atlantic, it’s harder to say, but I wouldn’t be surprised if storms developed over the Caribbean and eventually tore up Morocco or Spain. > [@](#): > > Ocean currents would also change; for example, the Gulf Stream would now flow up the eastern Atlantic … while eastern Canada and possibly Greenland would be warmer. I’d guess that it still wouldn’t be enough to keep the Northwest Passage open, though; you’d still need to get around the north end of Somerset Island, 74°N (about the latitude of Svalbard.) ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/27 "2012-10-18T17:26:36Z")
Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria! ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/28 "2012-10-18T17:33:44Z")
Are we assuming that the earth orbits the sun in the same direction, but spins in the other direction? If so, and the rotational rate is the same, then the solar day would be _shorter_ than the sidereal day by 4 minutes. And there would be 2 extra days in a year. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Ayebaw](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darth_ayebaw/32/9870_2.png) [@Darth\_Ayebaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Ayebaw)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/29 "2012-10-19T15:36:35Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Most recent theory of the moon’s origins: > [http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/earth-gave-violent-birth-to-the-moon-new-harvard-theory-says.php?ref=fpnewsfeed](http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/earth-gave-violent-birth-to-the-moon-new-harvard-theory-says.php?ref=fpnewsfeed) > > The earth was spinning rapidly, so rapidly that it was football shaped. There was an impact. Part of the Earth’s crust and various material was thrown out, forming an accretion disc. Over the next 10,000 years the disc solidified into the moon. The earth’s rotation slowed and the remaining material formed into something closer to a sphere. Wouldn’t it be kind of disk-shaped, not football shaped? Assuming the bulge across the equator is equalized and not concentrated in two big bumps… ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/30 "2012-10-19T17:46:06Z")
> [@Michael63129](#): > > … and northern Europe would be much colder than today due to prevailing winds off of Asia (recent extreme winters have been linked to a reversal of normal wind patterns, as described in the last paragraph [here](http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=36972); note that the Gulf Stream itself [isn’t as important](http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/res/div/ocp/gs/) as some would have you believe), while eastern Canada and possibly Greenland would be warmer. Interesting article, thanks! Of course, the MOST significant difference is that water would swirl the opposite direction when you flush! ( 😉 ) > [@Darth](#): > > Wouldn’t it be kind of disk-shaped, not football shaped That’s what I’d have thought: football shape doesn’t seem to make sense. I’d expect an oblate speroid. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/31 "2012-10-19T22:09:56Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > The pressure fronts on weather maps would move right to left, and that would just look wrong. If you spend some time in, say, southern Mexico or the West Indes (Caribbean), stay away from televised weather reports. You might go mad. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/32 "2012-10-19T22:51:56Z")
Would hurricanes and low-pressure zones spin in opposite directions than they do today (coriolis)? Would affect which part of the storm was more fierce. ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/33 "2012-10-19T23:38:05Z")
Did anyone else read the OP title as a euphemism for what would happen if the earth was gay? I need to get out more. ---
**Author:** ![kurtisokc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kurtisokc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurtisokc)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/34 "2012-10-20T00:45:37Z")
Your dog comes back, your wife is faithful to you, and your pickup truck gets fixed. No, wait. I’m thinking of what happens when you play a country song backwards. Never mind! ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/35 "2012-10-20T01:02:29Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > The Japanese flag would be different. And they wouldn’t be Oriental. The national anthem of the state of Israel would piss off all the Ashkenazim, for a change. And, as Bloom muses, “What Arthur Griffith said about the headpiece over the Freeman leader: a homerule sun rising up in the northwest from the laneway behind the bank of Ireland. He prolonged his pleased smile. Ikey touch that: homerule sun rising up in the northwest.” (U4.101) ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069/36 "2012-10-21T06:30:53Z")
The 13 Colonies and the Gold Rush might have been on the same coast, delaying America’s national expansion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-repeat-query-if-the-earth-had-always-spun-the-other-way-how-would-things-be-different/638069.md?page=1)