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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
Apollo 11 Crew
Explanation:
Why are there so many moonquakes?
Analyses of
seismometers
left on the moon during the
Apollo moon landings reveal a surprising number of
moonquakes occurring within 100 kilometers of the surface.
In fact, 62
moonquakes were detected in data recorded between 1972 and 1977.
Many of these moonquakes are not only strong enough to
move furniture in a
lunar apartment,
but the stiff rock of the moon continues to vibrate for many minutes,
significantly longer than the softer rock
earthquakes on Earth.
The cause of the moonquakes remains unknown, but a
leading hypothesis include
tidal gravity
from -- and
relative heating by -- our Earth.
Regardless of the source, future moon dwellings
need to be built to withstand the frequent shakings.
Pictured here,
Apollo 11 astronaut
Buzz Aldrin stands beside a recently deployed lunar seismometer, looking back toward the
lunar landing module.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Moon - Apollo 11
Publications with words: Moon - Apollo 11
See also: