Quadrupolar sea level fluctuations reveal episodes of rapid polar wander.

Quadrupolar sea level fluctuations confirm that Earth experienced episodic rapid true polar wander over the past 320 million years.

• Why it matters: Understanding whether rapid TPW episodes are transient or long-lasting is crucial for insights into Earth's rotational dynamics and surface environment evolution, addressing gaps left by paleomagnetic records.
• What they did: The study analyzed continental flooding reconstructions to detect quadrupolar sea level patterns, which serve as indicators of rapid TPW events, spanning from 320 million years ago to the present.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that prolonged, rapid TPW episodes have occurred, revealing episodic couplings among Earth's rotation, mantle processes, and surface environments, and advancing knowledge of Earth's dynamic history.