A seismic hazard map on the moon soon? And why not? Because a new study has just shown that our natural satellite is subject to numerous earthquakes linked to its thermal contraction. A fact to consider, especially with a view to establishing a permanent lunar base.
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This is a strange phenomenon which, however, is very real. The moon is shrinking. In a few hundred million years, scientists estimate that its circumference will have shrunk by about 45 meters! On an entire star with a diameter of 3,474 kilometers, that doesn’t represent much, but still.
The moon cools and contracts
Why is our natural satellite shrinking so fast?the eyethe eye (or almost)? The reason would be thermal contraction. As they cool, the moon’s interior shrinks to form rocks, reducing its volume. like a grain of grapesgrapes which is left to dry. But if the latter gradually wrinkles, the moon cracks on all sides. In fact, faults form to accommodate this decrease in ground surface area.
A type of tectonic activity that accompanies EarthquakeEarthquake. For 50 years, the ” MoonquakeMoonquake ยป Recorded by a passive seismic network established during the mission ApolloApollo. In the 1970s this network even recorded a magnitude 5 earthquake! An activity that is noticeable at the South Pole where there are large scarps of compressional faulting.
Landslide hazards
A candidate site for the Artemis III lunar landing is also located in the region. One site that can, according to a new study published in the journal The Planetary Science Journal, not entirely suitable for establishing a lunar base. Indeed, a team of researchers has conducted modeling that shows that a shallow earthquake that shakes the region would have the potential to produce strong ground tremors that could potentially cause significant damage to installations.
It is also not excluded that landslides can occur, the soil of the moon is composed of very fine unconsolidated dust. This study shows that, even on the moon Earthquake riskEarthquake risk exist and must be considered in the selection of future lunar landing sites.
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