What would happen if gravity suddenly stopped for one minute?

Question

Accepted Answer

If gravity were to suddenly cease for sixty seconds, the consequences would be catastrophic and permanent, fundamentally altering the planet's structure and the atmosphere. Because Earth rotates at approximately 1,600 km/h (1,000 mph) at the equator, the lack of a centripetal force holding objects to the surface would initiate a chaotic chain reaction.

1. Atmospheric Displacement
The atmosphere is held in place by gravity. Without it, the pressure gradient would cause the air to immediately begin expanding outward into the vacuum of space. Within sixty seconds, the rapid decompression would cause massive windstorms and a significant drop in atmospheric pressure, leading to widespread hypoxia and ear damage for any living organism on the surface.

2. Loss of Surface Objects
Any object not physically anchored to the Earth's crust—including vehicles, loose debris, water, and people—would immediately continue moving in a straight line at the speed of the Earth's rotation (tangential velocity). Because the Earth is curved, these objects would effectively "float" or fly off into the sky. Upon the return of gravity after one minute, these objects would fall back to the surface with immense force, leading to widespread structural destruction and injury.

3. Oceanic and Geological Chaos
The oceans, no longer held by gravitational pressure, would begin to lift off the surface. This would result in massive, uncontrolled tidal surges and the fracturing of coastlines. Furthermore, the internal pressure of the Earth, which is normally balanced by gravity, would cause the planet to expand slightly. This could trigger immediate, massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as the tectonic plates shift without the stabilizing force of gravitational compression.

4. The Return of Gravity
The most devastating moment would be the return of gravity after sixty seconds. 
   Impact: Everything that floated into the air would plummet back to the ground simultaneously. 
   Structural Collapse: Buildings and infrastructure that were already weakened by the initial expansion and internal shifting would likely collapse under the sudden re-application of weight.
   Atmospheric Re-entry: The air that had begun to drift away would slam back into the surface, creating shockwaves and global-scale storms.

Summary
While sixty seconds is a short duration, the inertia gained by objects and the atmosphere during that time would ensure that the Earth would not simply "reset." The planet would be left in a state of geological and meteorological ruin, with the surface landscape significantly transformed and the global infrastructure largely obliterated.