The Moon is Shrinking and Reveals Over a Thousand New Cracks That Worry Scientists

A recent study revealed that the Moon continues to gradually shrink due to the cooling of its interior, leading to the emergence of over a thousand new cracks on its surface, including in the vast "lunar seas," as reported by the Daily Mail.

Increasing Crack Network

A team from the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the National Air and Space Museum was able to document 1,114 new small cracks, bringing the total number of discovered cracks to 2,634, strengthening the evidence of ongoing tectonic and seismic activity on the Moon.

Fissured Slopes and Lunar Seas

Previous studies focused on the "fissured slopes" in the lunar highlands, while the new study showed similar cracks in the lunar seas, referred to as "small margins in the seas" (SMRs).

Implications for Lunar Exploration

Researchers warned that these cracks could pose a risk to the infrastructure of any long-term human presence, especially with NASA's plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028 as part of the "Artemis 3" mission, making understanding seismic activity crucial for safety.

Scientists' Insights

Lead researcher, Kull Niebauer, noted that these findings provide a more comprehensive picture of the Moon's modern dynamics and help assess long-term geological risks, alongside enriching our understanding of its thermal and seismic history.