It has been discovered that the Moon is shrinking! What does this mean for us?

 The discovery that the Moon is shrinking and causing earthquakes could have significant implications for future space missions and the long-term presence of humanity on our natural satellite. NASA-funded research provides data that helps scientists better understand strategic parts of the Moon, such as its south pole.

It turns out that lunar quakes and faults caused by the gradual cooling of the Moon's interior and its shrinkage are also in some of the areas the agency is considering as potential landing sites for the Artemis III mission, the first manned mission to the Moon.

The moon is shrinking, which causes faults and earthquakes to form. This process could pose a risk to future astronauts and mission equipment, although scientists say the risk is low. The shrinking Moon does not directly affect the Earth, but its effects are felt on its surface. Researchers examined earthquake data detected by lunar seismometers and used mapping data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to identify distinctive ripples on the Moon.

Faults, where one section of the crust is pushed over another, create lobate thrust fault scarps - cliff-like landforms created by the movement of the lunar crust. These scarps are relatively young, indicating that the Moon is still tectonically active. In addition, stresses caused by the Earth's gravitational influence on the Moon further contribute to the formation of faults.

Lunar tectonic activity, especially near the south pole, is crucial to planning future lunar missions such as Artemis III. Scientists have found numerous lobate scarps in this area, indicating that it is also tectonically active. These discoveries are essential to ensure safe landings and exploration.

These discoveries not only shed light on the dynamic nature of our Moon, but also serve as a key guide for humanity's ambitious journey to establish a lasting presence beyond Earth. The shrinking Moon may pose new challenges, but it also opens the door to deeper understanding and innovative solutions for space exploration.