The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic measure of humanity's proximity to catastrophic destruction, has been set at 89 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been, symbolizing humanity's shortest margin from potential catastrophe since the clock's creation.

Atomic scientists on Tuesday moved their "Doomsday Clock" closer to midnight than ever before, citing Russian nuclear threats amid its invasion of Ukraine, tensions in other world hot spots, military applications of artificial intelligence and climate change as factors underlying the risks of global catastrophe.

The Doomsday Clock now stands at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest to catastrophe in its nearly eight-decade history. Here's a look at how — and why — it's moved.

What is the Doomsday Clock? It's 2025 and scientists have reset the clock closer to midnight and global catastrophe. Here's what it all means.

On January 28, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists updated the Doomsday Clock from 90 to 89 seconds until "midnight," as world-ending threats continue escalating at

Doomsday Clock closest it’s ever been to midnight amid climate, nuclear, AI threats Read more »

Iconic Doomsday Clock moves one second closer to midnight as global existential threats rage. Clock factors include nuclear weapons, climate crisis, artificial intelligence, infectious diseases, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Humanity has grown closer to global disaster in the past year, with the Doomsday Clock moving to 89 seconds to midnight.

In a statement outlining the change, the Board highlighted three main reasons for “moving the Doomsday Clock from 90 seconds to 89 seconds to midnight.” These include ongoing nuclear risks, accelerating climate disasters, and emerging biological and technological dangers.

The Doomsday Clock has been updated to reflected that we are closer to the end of the world. Learn more about the metaphorical clock.

The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before. What does it mean? How is this determined? Can the clock be wound back?