The International Date Line functions as a “ line of demarcation ” separating two consecutive calendar dates. When you cross the date line, you become a time traveler of sorts ! Cross to the west and it's one day later; cross back and you've “gone back in time.”
Why does the International Date Line avoid land?
The reason for this effect is that the countries on the western side of the International Date Line, (in or outside eastern Asia) have the time zone 10–12 hours more than Greenwich . And the countries on eastern side of it (Alaska/Hawaii and other areas) have the time zone 9–12 hours less than Greenwich.
What happens when some body crosses the International Date Line?
The international date line (IDL) is an imaginary line that runs along the Earth's surface from the North Pole to the South Pole in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. When you cross it, you either gain or lose a day depending on which way you are traveling.
What would have happened if the International Date Line passes through Greenwich?
The Greenwich Meridian is designated as the World's Prime Meridian Line, with a longitude of zero degrees. ... It is on the Prime Meridian Line, i.e. zero degrees longitude. But if it were on the International Date Line, the roles would swap and what is now the IDL would be the Prime Meridian Line.
What is the significance of International Date Line?
The date line, which roughly follows the 180-degree meridian, is about halfway around the globe from the prime meridian, which measures 0-degrees longitude. The date line helps divide the world into 24 time zones . Crossing the date line either adds 24 hours or subtracts 24 hours from a traveler's day.
Where is International Date Line in Globe?
The International Date Line, established in 1884, passes through the mid-Pacific Ocean and roughly follows a 180 degrees longitude north-south line on the Earth. It is located halfway round the world from the prime meridian —the zero degrees longitude established in Greenwich, England, in 1852.
Which country does the day start first?
According to the clock, the first areas to experience a new day and a New Year are islands that use UTC+14:00. These include portions of the Republic of Kiribati , including Millennium Island in the Line Islands, as well as Samoa during the southern summer.
Where is 180 degrees longitude?
The meridian that runs through Greenwich, England, is internationally accepted as the line of 0 degrees longitude, or prime meridian. The antimeridian is halfway around the world, at 180 degrees. It is the basis for the International Date Line.
What is the International Date Line Class 6?
International Date Line is an imaginary line that runs across the surface of the earth at 180 0 longitude . Since this longitude is diametrically opposite to that of the Greenwich Meridian, it results in a difference of 24 hours on crossing the line.
What is the difference between the prime meridian and the International Date Line?
The prime meridian separates the eastern hemisphere from the western hemisphere . Halfway around the world, at 180 degrees longitude, is the International Date Line. The prime meridian is the line of 0 longitude, the starting point for measuring distance both east and west around the Earth.
What is International Date Line Class 10?
From the prime meridian, the zero degree longitude formed in Greenwich, England in 1852, it is located halfway around the world. – At approximately 180 degrees longitude , The International Date Line is an imaginary line that distinguishes one day from the next, situated halfway around the globe.
What country moved the International Date Line in 1997?
The Kiribati adjustment gave the International Date Line, which during most of the 20th century had remained relatively close to the 180° meridian, a very noticeable eastward protrusion.
What are the 2 main lines of longitude?
1. Prime Meridian = Longitude 0 o (Greenwich Meridian). 2. International Date Line (Longitude 180 o ) .
What is international date line west time?
UTC−12:00 is an identifier for a time offset from UTC of −12:00. It is the last to enter a new year, and is sometimes referred to as the International Date Line West time zone (IDLW).
How does the 0 degree longitude divide the earth?
The Equator, or line of 0 degrees latitude, divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. ... The prime meridian , or 0 degrees longitude, and the International Date Line, 180 degrees longitude, divide the Earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres.
What is an example of international date line?
An example of the international date line is when it's 3pm on Sunday in Samoa, it's 3pm on Monday right across the line, just 550 miles away in Tonga . ... The International Date Line was established at the International Meridian Conference in 1884 in order to standardize time, especially for the purpose of travel.
