New scientific research proves that the Moon is not a geologically “dead” celestial body, as previously thought. Astronomers have identified over two thousand six hundred new structures on its surface, resulting from the prolonged tectonic contraction of Earth’s satellite.
This is reported by Finway
The Lunar Crust is Cracking Due to Core Cooling
Scientists have determined that over the last 200 million years, the radius of the Moon has decreased by approximately 50 meters. This has occurred because its internal layers are gradually cooling and contracting. A recent analysis of the terrain revealed that there are 2634 minor ridges and fractures in the so-called dark lunar seas, most of which were previously unknown to science. Such structures arise under colossal pressure when the Moon’s crust is forced to adapt to a reduced volume.
“These structures form due to colossal pressure when the surface of the satellite attempts to compress into a constantly decreasing volume.”
The Possibility of Moonquakes and the Artemis II Mission
According to researchers, the average age of the faults is about 124 million years, which is relatively recent in cosmic terms. The identified deformations indicate that the Moon remains active even today. Such processes may be accompanied by moonquakes—phenomena that could pose potential dangers for future space missions and colonists.
At the center of scientists’ attention is the Artemis II mission, which is set to take place very soon. Its crew will perform a flyby around the Moon, and modern equipment will allow for an assessment of the changes in the structure of the satellite since the last human visit to its surface. Researchers expect that this data will help deepen our understanding of the Moon’s internal structure and its evolution.
As the Moon gradually transforms, new discoveries enable scientists to glimpse the processes that shape our cosmic neighbor and open up prospects for further research.