Emelie Dahlskold, 30 July, 2024
The field of lunar science is rapidly expanding.
A recent interview on 2BS 95.1 FM with Craig O'Neill, an associate professor in geophysics and remote sensing at the QUT School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, provided insight into exciting developments in this area.
Here are five things we learned from Craig's interview about lunar activity, seismic exploration, and the moon's potential for space exploration:
- The moon's seismic activity is absolutely fascinating. Unlike Earth, the moon's quakes are caused by factors such as tidal activity and its ongoing cooling and shrinking.
- It's essential to take lunar exploration seriously because even minor tremors on the moon can have major consequences.
- By setting up advanced seismological equipment on the lunar surface, scientists can gain a better understanding of its core and internal structure.
- Seismic activity seems to be a common occurrence across celestial bodies, with almost every planetary body experiencing some level of quakes.
- Scientists are working on innovative techniques to measure seismic activity on other planets to unlock the secrets of their interiors.
