They discovered why the Moon shakes. There are consequences for our planet
According to scientists, the Moon is doing two unfavorable things for Earth. It is moving away from us, but it also shrinks. The consequences of these phenomena could mean the end of the world as we know it.
Scientists studying lunar seismology have concluded that the Moon is progressively shrinking. According to them, the tectonic tremors occurring on the Silver Globe have a recurring source. The Moon is seismically active because it is decreasing in size.
Seismic studies of the Moon
Seismic research of the Moon was conducted as part of the Apollo mission. Astronauts, who visited the surface of the silver orb between 1969-1977, placed Earth seismometers there. In this way, scientists hoped to understand the internal structure of Earth's satellite, despite the scant amount of results.
After nearly 50 years, the analysis of lunar quakes is still providing new information. It turns out that over one third of the recorded seismic waves were the result of the shifting of tectonic faults. The most probable cause of this phenomenon is the ongoing shrinking of the Moon.
The Importance of the Moon for Earth
It's troubling because the Earth as we know it needs the silver globe. The planet keeps it tethered, but the Moon does not remain indebted. Its gravitational attraction causes the tide phenomenon to occur on our planet.
As a result, not only do regular floodings and drownings of oceanic shores occur. Above all, the Earth's oceans bulge towards the Moon. In this way, the rotation of our planet slows down.
The real effects of the Moon's disappearance
The disappearing Moon therefore seems to be a catastrophic prospect. Without it, our world will not function in the way we know it. However, nothing bad awaits us. In about 600 million years, it will become so small that it will not be able to cause a total solar eclipse.
During this time, its influence on Earth will also weaken, but a greater danger would be its escape from the gravitational system with our planet. This is possible, as the Moon persistently distances itself from us. However, the perspective for such a finale is only in 50 billion years. By that time, the Sun will become a more serious threat.
Astrophysicists forecast that in about 5 billion years, our parent star will begin to die and swell. The Sun will start to disrupt and ultimately destroy the Earth-Moon gravitational system. Therefore, it does not matter how its functioning has changed in the longer perspective.
