Unexpected Geological Activity on the Moon

The Moon has long been considered a geologically dead celestial body, but a recent study reveals new evidence suggesting unexpected geological activity. Scientists have identified the locations and timing of rockfalls on the Moon’s surface, shedding light on previously unknown periods of geological activity.

Recent Study on Rockfall Paths

In a unique study, scientists identified 245 new paths formed by rockfalls on the Moon’s surface. These paths were created when rocks rolled down crater walls, stirring up lunar dust and leaving distinctive patterns of debris behind.

The study was led by researcher Sivaprahasam Vijayan from the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India, who emphasized the importance of understanding the timing of these geological events to comprehend the Moon’s periods of geological activity.

Determining the Age of Rockfall Paths

To distinguish recent rockfall paths, scientists examined thousands of images of the Moon’s surface between latitudes 40° South and 40° North. These images clearly showed the paths due to their brightness contrast with the rest of the lunar surface.

Images taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera between 2009 and 2022 were used to study these paths in greater detail.

Identifying Possible Causes of Rockfalls

After identifying the paths, scientists estimated their age by studying areas containing debris from fallen rocks and layers of debris from previous impacts. Using this evidence, scientists dated the craters to about 400,000 years, indicating that the rockfall paths are much more recent.

Finally, researchers identified nearby seismic faults or impact craters that might have caused the rockfalls.

Mapping the Moon’s Geology

The new geological map of rockfalls was published in the journal Icarus, highlighting seismically active sites and locations of recent impacts on the Moon. These sites represent potential targets for future lunar missions focused on recent surface and subsurface activity.

The study’s authors plan to integrate artificial intelligence techniques into their future work to enable more precise identification of whether the causes of rockfalls are internal or external.

Conclusion

This study shows that the Moon is not a geologically dead body as previously thought, but instead has recent geological activity that could impact future missions. The new geological map highlights seismically active areas and sites of recent impacts, making them intriguing targets for future research and exploration.