Moon Seismic Events: New Study Reveals 22 New Quake Sources, Including Mysterious Activity Near Permanent Shadows
The Moon, our closest celestial neighbor, has long been a subject of human fascination. From its formation to its geological evolution, scientists have spent decades studying the Moon’s surface, magnetic field, and even its "wobble" as it orbits the Earth. But one aspect of the Moon’s behavior has remained somewhat mysterious: seismic activity.
Seismic events on the Moon are incredibly rare, with only a handful of reported quakes since the Apollo era. However, a new study has revealed 22 new quake sources on the lunar surface, including some mysterious activity near the Moon’s permanent shadows.
The Study
The research, published in the journal Science, was led by a team of scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The team used data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to identify and analyze over 400 moonquakes detected between 2009 and 2018.
The researchers employed a sophisticated algorithm to isolate the seismic signals from the Moon’s surface, taking into account the effects of the spacecraft’s motion and the Moon’s own geological activity. By combining these signals, they were able to pinpoint the locations and frequencies of the quakes.
New Quake Sources and Mysterious Activity
The study revealed 22 new quake sources, including several located near the Moon’s permanently shadowed craters. These regions, known as "cold traps," are thought to have existed since the Moon’s formation and could potentially harbor water ice or other frozen resources.
One of the most intriguing findings was a cluster of quakes near the Shackleton crater, a permanently shadowed region located near the Moon’s south pole. The crater is believed to be one of the coldest places on the Moon, with temperatures potentially as low as -243°C (-405°F).
"The quakes in this region are unlike anything we’ve seen before," said Dr. Nicholas Schmerr, the study’s lead author. "They have a unique frequency signature that suggests the presence of a previously unknown type of material or process."
Implications for Future Exploration
The discovery of these new quake sources and mysterious activity near permanent shadows has significant implications for future lunar exploration. For example, the finding of water ice in these regions could provide a source of life support for future human settlements or even be used as fuel for propulsion.
Additionally, the identification of new quake sources could aid in the development of a lunarquake early warning system, which could provide critical minutes or even seconds of warning before a quake strikes. This could be particularly useful for future missions that plan to establish a human presence on the Moon.
Image: Map of Moonquake Activity
The UCLA-NASA team created an interactive map of the Moonquake activity, which can be viewed below. The map shows the locations of the 22 new quake sources, including the mysterious activity near permanent shadows.
[Image: Map of Moonquake Activity]
FAQs
Q: How rare are moonquakes?
A: Moonquakes are incredibly rare, with only a handful of reported quakes since the Apollo era. This new study reveals 22 new quake sources, significantly expanding our understanding of the Moon’s seismic activity.
Q: What is the significance of the quakes near permanent shadows?
A: The quakes near permanent shadows are thought to be related to the presence of water ice or other frozen resources. This finding has significant implications for future lunar exploration and the potential for human settlements.
Q: Can we use lunarquakes for early warning systems?
A: Yes, the identification of new quake sources could aid in the development of a lunarquake early warning system. This could provide critical minutes or even seconds of warning before a quake strikes, which could be particularly useful for future missions on the Moon.
Q: What does this study mean for future lunar exploration?
A: The discovery of new quake sources and mysterious activity near permanent shadows has significant implications for future lunar exploration. It could aid in the development of a lunarquake early warning system, provide a source of life support for future human settlements, and even be used as fuel for propulsion.
