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What moves faster, clouds or Earth?

Published in Earth and Clouds 1 min read

Earth moves much faster than clouds.

Here's a breakdown comparing the speeds:

Cloud Speed

  • Average Cloud Speed: According to the provided reference, most clouds move at approximately 30 to 40 miles per hour.

Earth's Speed

Earth has two primary movements that contribute to its overall speed:

  • Rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis, completing one rotation roughly every 24 hours. At the equator, this equates to a speed of approximately 1,000 miles per hour.
  • Orbit: The Earth orbits the Sun, completing one orbit in about 365.25 days. This orbital speed is approximately 67,000 miles per hour.

Comparison Table

Object Speed
Clouds 30-40 miles per hour
Earth's Rotation (at Equator) ~1,000 miles per hour
Earth's Orbit around Sun ~67,000 miles per hour

As the table demonstrates, the Earth's rotational and orbital speeds are significantly faster than the average speed of clouds. Even though low clouds appear to move quickly, they don't approach Earth's speed.

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