Moon's crust as fractured as can be

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In summary, scientists believe that the moon's crust was heavily impacted by asteroids about 4 billion years ago, leading to increased porosity and the formation of deep fissures. This event, known as the Late Heavy Bombardment, also affected other inner Solar System planets. However, Earth's tectonic activity, higher surface gravity, and presence of liquid water have helped repair any damage to its crust. The oldest known parts of Earth's crust are 4.3 billion years old, but most parts are younger due to erosion and other factors. Overall, Earth's crust is relatively unscathed compared to the moon's, which has a more fractured and porous surface.
  • #1
PF_SpaceNews
Moon's crust as fractured as can be

Scientists believe that about 4 billion years ago, during a period called the Late Heavy Bombardment, the moon took a severe beating, as an army of asteroids pelted its surface, carving out craters and opening deep fissures in its crust. Such sustained impacts increased the moon's porosity, opening up a network of large seams beneath the lunar surface.

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  • #3
I don't think it did.

From wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Heavy_Bombardment

The Late Heavy Bombardment (abbreviated LHB and also known as the lunar cataclysm) is a hypothetical event thought to have occurred approximately 4.1 to 3.8 billion years (Ga) ago,[1] corresponding to the Neohadean and Eoarchean eras on Earth. During this interval, a disproportionately large number of asteroids apparently collided with the early terrestrial planets in the inner Solar System, including Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
 
  • #4
Drakkith said:
I don't think it did.
But Earth's crust is in good order, right?
 
  • #5
We have tectonic activity, and also a higher surface gravity and liquid water to "fix" rough structures.
 
  • #6
mfb said:
We have tectonic activity, and also a higher surface gravity and liquid water to "fix" rough structures.
You mean the Earth has a kind of puddy or spackling? :smile:
 
  • #7
What is "puddy"?

Parts of the crust get submerged below other parts, enter the molten mantle and melt, while elsewhere new crust material solidifies out of the mantle.
The oldest known parts of the crust are about 4.3 billion years old (older than the late heavy bombardment), but most parts are younger.

Add erosion, the tendency of water to enter underground cavities (which can speed up a collapse), earthquakes, ... and cavities have a hard time surviving for long timespans.
 
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  • #8
mfb said:
What is "puddy"?
Like what you use to patch a hole in dry wall :biggrin:
 

FAQ: Moon's crust as fractured as can be

1. What causes the Moon's crust to be so fractured?

The Moon's crust is fractured due to a combination of factors such as impacts from meteorites, volcanic activity, and tectonic forces.

2. How does the fractured crust affect the surface of the Moon?

The fractured crust on the Moon's surface creates a rugged and uneven landscape, with mountains, valleys, and craters. It also allows for lava to flow and create new landforms.

3. Is the Moon's crust more fractured compared to other planetary bodies?

Yes, the Moon's crust is more fractured compared to other planetary bodies in our solar system. This is due to its smaller size and lack of geological activity to repair or smooth out its surface.

4. Can the fractured crust of the Moon be seen from Earth?

Some of the larger fractures on the Moon's surface, such as the Rupes Altai, can be seen from Earth with a telescope. However, most of the smaller fractures are only visible when viewed up close by spacecraft.

5. How does the fractured crust of the Moon impact future human exploration?

The fractured crust of the Moon poses challenges for future human exploration, as it can make landing and navigating on the surface more difficult. However, it also provides opportunities for studying the Moon's history and potential resources.

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