What is the Apocalypse Clock? Why do scientists delay or advance it?

The Apocalypse Clock is a symbolic clock that represents how close the world is to total destruction. The less are the minutes left until midnight, the closer is the end of the world. The hands of this watch move according to the conclusions that a group of experts solve after analyzing the situation in which the world is in each moment.

In 1953, the clock hands were only 120 seconds from midnight or the end of the world. This situation was repeated in 2018 and was so far the closest point that the clock was to arrive at 12:00 at night in its 73 years of history. Currently, after analyzing the situation of our planet at the end of 2019, experts advanced the needles 20 seconds more and only 100 seconds left to reach midnight

When was the Apocalypse Clock created?

It was created by experts participating in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists in 1947 after World War II.

Why was the Apocalypse Clock created?

This watch was originally created to show the effects of the nuclear holocaust in the world, but today it also represents the threat of climate change.

What is analyzed to advance or delay the clock?

The most important aspects that influence the time of the Apocalypse Clock vary are the technologies that affect the climate, cyber technology, biotechnologies and especially nuclear weapons.

How many times have the clock hands been adjusted?

Throughout its 73 years, the hands of this watch have been adjusted between 2 and 17 minutes, about 20 times.