For decades, scientists believed the Moon was a geologically inert world, frozen in time after billions of years of impact cratering and volcanic activity. However, recent findings reveal that the Moon is far more active than previously thought, with evidence of tectonic deformation and possibly ongoing seismic activity. Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Maryland have identified hundreds of small ridges on the Moon’s far side, some formed as recently as 200 million years ago—a blink of an eye in geological terms. Using advanced mapping techniques and crater-counting methods, scientists determined that these ridges are younger than surrounding features, suggesting the Moon’s crust is still shifting and evolving.
This discovery challenges the long-held belief that the Moon became geologically dormant billions of years ago and suggests internal forces are reshaping its surface today. Future lunar missions could benefit from this knowledge as scientists plan landings, habitats, and scientific experiments on the Moon. The findings also imply that the Moon’s far side may be structurally similar to the near side, indicating a uniform geological process across both hemispheres.
As NASA’s Artemis missions prepare for long-term human exploration of the Moon, understanding its ongoing activity becomes increasingly crucial for mission planning and scientific endeavors. The discovery marks a turning point in lunar science, highlighting that even our closest celestial neighbor still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Source: https://indiandefencereview.com/the-moon-alive-recent-geological-activity