A new study has challenged the long-held belief that the moon has been geologically dormant for billions of years. Recent findings show that tectonic activity might still be occurring beneath the lunar surface, potentially altering our understanding of the moon’s geological history. Researchers have identified small ridges on the far side of the moon that appear to have formed within the last 200 million years, indicating that the moon may not be as inactive as previously thought.
The research, published in The Planetary Science Journal on January 21, 2025, was conducted by a team from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Maryland. The study revealed 266 previously unknown ridges located in volcanic regions on the far side of the moon, which are believed to be around 3.2 to 3.6 billion years old. However, the ridges themselves appear much younger, suggesting that tectonic processes are still shaping the lunar surface today.
The team used a technique known as crater counting to estimate the ages of the ridges. According to Jaclyn Clark, an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Maryland’s Department of Geology, the presence of fewer craters on the ridges suggests they formed after other surface features had already been impacted. By examining the way the ridges cut through existing craters, the researchers were able to conclude that the lunar surface has experienced tectonic movement relatively recently—within the past 160 million years.
These findings could have profound implications for future lunar exploration. If the moon is still undergoing tectonic activity, it could affect the planning of lunar missions and the construction of infrastructure such as habitats or research stations. Understanding the current geological processes of the moon will be crucial as humanity looks to establish a more permanent presence on the lunar surface in the coming decades.