New scientific research confirms the Moon is not a geologically dead world. Instead, it is tectonically active, experiencing moonquakes and surface changes that pose a significant threat to future human missions and permanent lunar bases. Scientists have mapped thousands of young ridges and faults across the lunar surface, revealing an ongoing process of contraction and seismic activity.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} ### Moon's Shrinking Core Causes Faults The Moon is slowly shrinking, much like a grape shrivels into a raisin, as its molten interior gradually cools. This global contraction causes the Moon's brittle crust to buckle and crack, forming distinctive cliff-like features called thrust faults and smaller mare ridges. Earth's gravitational pull also adds stress to the lunar surface, contributing to these geological shifts.^{[1][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]} Recent studies, including work by Smithsonian scientists, have identified 1,114 new small mare ridges, bringing the total to 2,634. These features are found in the lunar maria, the dark volcanic plains visible from Earth. Some of these ridges are geologically young, forming within the last 50 million to 200 million years, indicating very recent activity.^{[1][14][6][7][4][15]} Thomas Watters, a senior scientist emeritus at the National Air and Space Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, stated that the Moon is "a seismically active body."^[9] He emphasized that the connection between shallow moonquakes and young faults provides further evidence that the Moon is a dynamic world.^[5] ### Dangerous Moonquakes Detected The ongoing tectonic activity generates moonquakes. Seismometers placed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts between 1969 and 1977 recorded 28 shallow moonquakes. New analysis of this decades-old data shows that eight of these quakes occurred within 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of visible faults.^[3][5][16] These shallow moonquakes can be surprisingly powerful, with some registering up to magnitude 5.5 on the Richter scale. Unlike earthquakes, which typically last for seconds or minutes, moonquakes can continue for hours, even an entire afternoon. This prolonged shaking could cause significant damage to lunar infrastructure.^{[6][8][9][17][18][13]} Nicholas Schmerr, a geophysicist at the University of Maryland and a co-author of recent studies, explained that a magnitude 3.0 quake, considered minor on Earth, could be damaging on the Moon near key infrastructure.^[19][20] This is due to the Moon's lower gravity and the prolonged shaking.^[6][8][9] ### Threat to Future Lunar Bases The discovery of active faults and moonquakes has critical implications for NASA's Artemis program and other future lunar missions planning to establish long-term human presence. Scientists warn that the seismic risks must be carefully considered when choosing landing sites and designing permanent outposts.^{[19][2][21][22][23][8][20][24][12]} Research indicates that ground shaking from moonquakes, not meteorite impacts, is the primary cause of recent landslides and boulder dislodgement in areas like the Taurus-Littrow valley, the Apollo 17 landing site. This suggests that these regions, and others like them, may still be seismically active today.^{[21][25][20][24]} The risk of a damaging moonquake occurring near an active fault on any given day is low, about 1 in 20 million. However, for a long-duration lunar mission spanning a decade, this risk rises significantly to about 1 in 5,500.^[19][21][22] This increased probability highlights the need for robust safety measures for extended stays. ### Planning for Artemis Missions NASA plans to send astronauts to the Moon's South Pole region for the Artemis III mission. Studies show that moonquakes and faults are present near and within some of these candidate landing areas.^[8][12] The presence of these active geological features means mission planners must account for potential ground instability.^[19][8][24] Taller lander designs, such as the Starship Human Landing System, could be particularly vulnerable to ground acceleration from nearby moonquakes, threatening their stability.^[21][20][24] "The hazard probability goes way up depending on how close your infrastructure is to an active fault," said Thomas Watters.^[18] Scientists are urging further detailed studies to assess seismic risks before establishing lunar bases. This includes using tools like ground-penetrating radar to understand subsurface structures and designing structures capable of withstanding potential seismic activity.^[2][14][23] The Moon is a dynamic world, and understanding its active geology is crucial for safe and successful future exploration.^[5][9][10]

AI Insights Hub