For a long time, scientists thought the Moon was a quiet, unchanging place. They believed its surface had been frozen after years of impacts and volcanic activity. But a recent study has turned that idea upside down, showing that the Moon is much more active than we ever imagined.
Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Maryland have discovered hundreds of new ridges on the Moon’s far side. Some of these ridges might have formed as recently as 200 million years ago, which is very recent in geological terms. By using advanced mapping techniques, scientists found that these ridges are younger than many of the features surrounding them. This means the Moon’s crust is still shifting and evolving.
This finding challenges the old belief that the Moon stopped being geologically active billions of years ago. It hints that something is still driving changes beneath the surface. With future lunar missions on the way, understanding this activity could be vital for planning landings and building bases on the Moon.
For years, the stable lunar plains known as maria were thought to be ancient and static. Scientists believed these flat areas were shaped by forces long gone. However, the new research suggests that geological changes on the Moon could still be occurring right now.
Jaclyn Clark, a research scientist at the University of Maryland, points out that, “Most scientists thought that the Moon’s geological movements happened two and a half to three billion years ago. But we now see evidence that these landforms might have been active within the last billion years.” This is exciting because it means that the Moon is not just a relic of the past; it’s an active world.
After careful analysis of high-resolution lunar maps, the team found 266 new small ridges clustered in groups. These ridges mostly appeared in areas where volcanic activity was once common. This indicates that the Moon’s crust is still subtly shifting, likely due to its interior cooling and contracting over time.
To determine the age of these new features, scientists used a method called crater counting. This technique involves examining the number of impact craters on a surface—older surfaces have more craters. Clark explained, “If we notice a surface has fewer craters, it means it’s younger. Our findings suggest these ridges show signs of activity in the last 160 million years.”
This indicates that parts of the Moon’s surface are much younger than we once thought. The slow cooling and contraction of the Moon’s interior likely lead to the formation of these ridges, similar to what happens on Mercury and Mars.
Interestingly, this new understanding links back to the Apollo missions, which detected Moonquakes. These disturbances could be tied to the ongoing tectonic activity, suggesting the Moon is not as lifeless as previously believed.
Why is this happening? Scientists think the gradual cooling of the Moon’s core is a significant factor. As it cools, the outer crust contracts, creating stress that leads to the formation of faults and ridges.
Moreover, the ridges on the Moon’s far side appear similar to those on the near side, indicating that both sides were formed by the same geological processes. The finding implies modern tectonic activity still influences the Moon’s surface.
As space agencies gear up to send humans back to the Moon, this new awareness about lunar activity is crucial. If the surface is still shifting, scientists need to be careful about where they plan landers, habitats, and equipment.
Clark emphasizes the need for advanced tools, like ground-penetrating radar, in future missions to better understand the structures beneath the surface. “Knowing the Moon is still geologically dynamic helps us decide the best places for astronauts and their equipment.”
Studying the Moon’s internal structure could also shed light on broader questions about the evolution of other planetary bodies. The Moon serves as a natural lab for exploring rocky planets, and understanding its geological activity can give us insights into the past and future of Earth, Mars, and more.
Overall, the idea that the Moon isn’t a geological ghost town is a significant shift in scientific understanding. Instead of being static, the Moon shows signs of slow but ongoing changes, with new tectonic activity reshaping its surface.
As we plan future lunar missions, researchers are eager to use new instruments to measure tectonic shifts and Moonquakes. This exciting discovery reminds us that there’s still much to learn about our closest celestial neighbor.
