The exact shape of the Earth is called an oblate spheroid. This means the Earth is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator due to its rotation. The equatorial diameter is larger than the polar diameter, making the Earth not a perfect sphere but rather an oblate spheroid.
Share
The Earth’s exact shape is known as an oblate spheroid, or more precisely, a geoid. This shape results from the Earth’s rotation, which causes it to slightly flatten at the poles and bulge at the equator. The equatorial diameter is about 43 kilometers (27 miles) larger than the polar diameter. Although the Earth appears nearly spherical from space, this oblate spheroid shape means the planet is not perfectly round. The term “geoid” is used to describe the shape of the Earth in relation to mean sea level, accounting for variations in gravitational force and surface irregularities, making it a more accurate representation than a simple oblate spheroid.