- Joined
- Jun 12, 2018
- Messages
- 1,470
Shrinking Moon may be generating Moonquakes
New analysis of the original seismic data from 50 years ago combined with more recent pictures from the Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera paint a picture of a slowly shrinking moon. The original quake data from instruments setup by astronauts measured quakes that ran from 2 to 5 on the Richter scale. Between 1969 and 1977 28 shallow quakes were detected. Unlike the Earth the quakes seem to be clustered around easily visible faults on the Moon's surface making it a simple matter to avoid building in quake zones. A quake with a reading of 5 probably wouldn't be a good thing to experience in a flimsy Moon building. Apparently no more seismographs have been placed on the Moon since the astronauts set up the original devices. Supposedly the quakes are more likely when the Moon is farthest away from the Earth which is a yearly event. They could be the result of gravitational stress caused the Earth's tides. The ocean water is slowly growing in mass and shape as the Polar regions melt which might make the tidal pulls stronger or more likely to trigger stronger quakes. Since the next manned explorations are scheduled for 2022 it might be a good idea to get a better idea of what the Moon is up to seismically speaking. .
New analysis of the original seismic data from 50 years ago combined with more recent pictures from the Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera paint a picture of a slowly shrinking moon. The original quake data from instruments setup by astronauts measured quakes that ran from 2 to 5 on the Richter scale. Between 1969 and 1977 28 shallow quakes were detected. Unlike the Earth the quakes seem to be clustered around easily visible faults on the Moon's surface making it a simple matter to avoid building in quake zones. A quake with a reading of 5 probably wouldn't be a good thing to experience in a flimsy Moon building. Apparently no more seismographs have been placed on the Moon since the astronauts set up the original devices. Supposedly the quakes are more likely when the Moon is farthest away from the Earth which is a yearly event. They could be the result of gravitational stress caused the Earth's tides. The ocean water is slowly growing in mass and shape as the Polar regions melt which might make the tidal pulls stronger or more likely to trigger stronger quakes. Since the next manned explorations are scheduled for 2022 it might be a good idea to get a better idea of what the Moon is up to seismically speaking. .