File photo shows the Artemis II crew poses in front of an Orion simulator Jan. 23, 2026 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. New research confirms the Moon is shrinking. Studies have uncovered over a thousand previously unknown tectonic ridges across our celestial neighbour's surface that show it is contracting. The find could help keep upcoming lunar exploration missions safe by assessing potential for future moonquakes. Smithsonian planetary scientists identified the Moon's ongoing geological activity by examining small mare ridges (SMRs), which are among the youngest features on the lunar surface, and formed by the same compressional forces driving the Moon's global shrinkage. The findings build on evidence that the Moon has shrunk by roughly 50 metres in diameter over hundreds of millions of years as its interior cools, creating thrust faults and potential moonquake hotspots. These recent structures in the lunar maria could trigger seismic events, posing challenges for future missions like NASA's Artemis programme targeting the lunar south pole.
File photo shows the Artemis II crew poses in front of an Orion simulator Jan. 23, 2026 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. New research confirms the Moon is shrinking. Studies have uncovered over a thousand previously unknown tectonic ridges across our celestial neighbour's surface that show it is contracting. The find could help keep upcoming lunar exploration missions safe by assessing potential for future moonquakes. Smithsonian planetary scientists identified the Moon's ongoing geological activity by examining small mare ridges (SMRs), which are among the youngest features on the lunar surface, and formed by the same compressional forces driving the Moon's global shrinkage. The findings build on evidence that the Moon has shrunk by roughly 50 metres in diameter over hundreds of millions of years as its interior cools, creating thrust faults and potential moonquake hotspots. These recent structures in the lunar maria could trigger seismic events, posing challenges for future missions like NASA's Artemis programme targeting the lunar south pole.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.