If the Earth Stops Rotating, Head for the Equator

The centripetal force of the Earth’s rotation causes land and oceans alike to bulge out at the equator. But what would happen if the Earth were to stop spinning? The oceans would quickly adjust to the new equilibrium by surging to the poles, drowning everywhere outside of the temperate regions and leaving vast swaths of equatorial ocean basins high and dry. The folks at ESRI are happy to show off their geographic prowess by describing the process in detail. Hat tip: Popular Science.