Understanding the "Relative" Velocities Earth rotates on its axis, completing one rotation approximately every 24 hours. A point on the Equator moves at a velocity of about 1,670 kilometers per hour, which is the fastest surface speed due to Earth’s rotation. The speed of rotation decreases as you move away from the Equator towards the poles. This is because the circumference of the Earth gets smaller. The velocity at a latitude other than the Equator can be calculated by multiplying the equator