NASA is gearing up for its third Artemis mission to the Moon’s south pole, and scientists are working on a new method to detect moonquakes along active faults in the region. These quakes occur when the Moon’s crust contracts as it cools, causing sudden movements that can damage infrastructure.
Moonquakes are rare but powerful, with magnitudes similar to those of earthquakes on Earth. However, unlike earthquakes, moonquakes can last for hours, posing significant risks to lunar surface assets. To mitigate these risks, NASA is developing a new method to estimate the magnitude of seismic shaking by analyzing evidence of dislodged boulders and landslides.
The new approach was developed by researchers Thomas Watters and Nicholas Schmerr, who found that studying the effects of moonquakes can help identify areas prone to seismic activity. This knowledge will enable NASA to plan lunar surface assets in safer locations, ensuring a more reliable and stable presence on the Moon.
Source: https://www.miragenews.com/apollo-samples-lro-aid-moonquake-predictions-1515258