The moon is shrinking
16, May 2019
Prelims level :
Mains level :
- The Moon is steadily shrinking, causing wrinkling on its surface and quakes, according to an analysis of imagery captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).
- A survey of more than 12,000 images revealed that lunar basin Mare Frigoris near the Moon’s north pole has been cracking and shifting.
- Since the moon’s crust is brittle, these forces cause its surface to break.