Imagine Earth’s moon, not as a static, celestial orb, but as a slowly shrinking raisin. That’s the startling reality revealed by recent research, with profound implications for NASA’s ambitious Artemis mission to return humans to the lunar surface.
Over the past few hundred million years, the Moon’s core has gradually cooled, causing it to shrink in circumference by over 150 feet. This shrinkage isn’t uniform, but rather creates wrinkles and faults across the lunar surface, much like the wrinkled skin of a dried grape. But unlike a raisin’s pliable skin, the Moon’s crust is brittle and prone to breaking. These faults weaken the surface, raising concerns about potential landslides triggered by the Moon’s ongoing seismic activity.
The Moon’s South Pole, a key area targeted for Artemis landings, is particularly vulnerable. A new study published in the Planetary Science Journal links past seismic data from Apollo missions to newly observed surface faults in this region. This isn’t just theoretical; the researchers even connected the latest cluster of faults to one of the strongest moonquakes ever recorded by Apollo seismometers over 50 years ago.
What does this mean for Artemis? The Moon’s loose, dusty surface, composed of asteroid and comet debris, is easily shaken by moonquakes. This makes areas with identified fault lines especially prone to landslides, posing a potential threat to lunar infrastructure and astronaut safety.
Ensuring Artemis’ success requires a deep understanding of the Moon’s seismic patterns. NASA needs to meticulously map high-risk zones and design structures that can withstand lunar tremors.
“As we get closer to the crewed Artemis mission’s launch date,” says Nicholas Schmerr, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of geology at the University of Maryland, “it’s important to keep our astronauts, our equipment and infrastructure as safe as possible. This work is helping us prepare for what awaits us on the moon—whether that’s engineering structures that can better withstand lunar seismic activity or protecting people from really dangerous zones.”
The Moon’s shrinking may present unexpected challenges, but with thorough research and careful planning, NASA can navigate these new risks and make Artemis a triumphant return to our celestial neighbor. The future of lunar exploration may depend on it.
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