What happens to the date and time when one crosses the International Date Line?

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.”

When you travel blank across the International Date Line you gain a day?

The Earth’s longitude measures 360, so the halfway point from the prime meridian is the 180 longitude line. The meridian at 180 longitude is commonly known as the International Date Line. As you pass the International Date Line, you either add a day (going west) or subtract a day (going east.)

Why is there an international date line?

The date line is necessary to avoid a confusion that would otherwise result. For example, if an airplane were to travel westward with the sun, 24 hr would elapse as it circled the globe, but it would still be the same day for those in the airplane while it would be one day later for those on the ground below them.

What happens when you cross the International Date Line?

The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary — and arbitrary — line on Earth’s surface that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. When you cross the IDL, the day and date change. If you cross it traveling westward, the day goes forward by one, and the date increases by one.

Where is the International Date Line on the map?

By Anne Buckle. The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line on Earth’s surface defining the boundary between one day and the next. The International Date Line (IDL) on the map. The International Date Line is located halfway around the world from the prime meridian (0° longitude) or about 180° east (or west) of Greenwich, London, UK,

What is the International Date Line (IDL)?

The International Date Line (IDL) on the map. The International Date Line is located halfway around the world from the prime meridian (0° longitude) or about 180° east (or west) of Greenwich, London, UK, the reference point of time zones. It is also known as the line of demarcation. The Dateline Is Not Straight

What is the International Law on the dateline?

The dateline is not defined by international law. Countries are free to choose the date and time zone that they want to observe. For example, when the Republic of Kiribati gained independence from being a British colony in 1979 some of the islands were on one side of the dateline, and the rest were on the other.