The Moon, long thought to be a geologically dormant world, is revealing itself to be far more dynamic than previously believed. A recent study published in The Planetary Science Journal has discovered that small ridges on the Moon’s far side are significantly younger than those on the near side, suggesting recent tectonic activity. Jaclyn Clark, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland’s Department of Geology, led the study.
“Many scientists believe that most of the Moon’s geological movements happened two and a half, maybe three billion years ago,” Clark said. But we’re seeing that these tectonic landforms have been recently active in the last billion years and may still be active today. These small mare ridges seem to have formed within the last 200 million years or so, which is relatively recent considering the Moon’s timescale.
The team used advanced mapping and modeling techniques to identify 266 previously unknown small ridges on the Moon’s far side.
These ridges often appeared in groups of 10 to 40 within volcanic regions that likely formed 3.2 to 3.6 billion years ago. The researchers suggest that these areas may have underlying weaknesses in the Moon’s surface, making them more susceptible to tectonic activity. To estimate the age of these ridges, the team employed a technique called crater counting.
By analyzing the number of craters around the ridges, the researchers found that some ridges cut through existing impact craters, indicating they were tectonically active within the last 160 million years. Interestingly, the ridges on the Moon’s far side share structural similarities with those on the near side.
Tectonic activity on moon’s far side
This suggests that both sets of ridges were created by the same forces, likely a combination of the Moon’s gradual shrinking and changes in its orbit. The Moon’s interior cooling over time causes it to contract, creating stress on the surface that forms these ridges. The discovery of young ridges and potential ongoing tectonic activity has significant implications for future lunar exploration.
As space agencies and private companies plan missions to the Moon, understanding its geological activity is crucial for ensuring the safety and success of these endeavors. “We hope that future missions to the Moon will include tools like ground-penetrating radar so researchers can better understand the structures beneath the lunar surface,” Clark said. “Knowing that the Moon is still geologically dynamic has very real implications for where we’re planning to put our astronauts, equipment, and infrastructure on the Moon.”
As we prepare for future missions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by the mid-2020s, these discoveries will play a critical role in guiding exploration efforts.
Tools like ground-penetrating radar and seismometers could provide even more detailed information about the Moon’s interior and its ongoing activity. The study also highlights the importance of international collaboration in space exploration. By working together, scientists from various institutions can pool their expertise and resources to unlock the Moon’s many secrets.
The Moon, our closest celestial neighbor, still holds many mysteries waiting to be uncovered. As we continue to explore the Moon, these findings will not only enhance our scientific knowledge but also pave the way for safer and more successful missions.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
