space.com
Oct 19, 2026
The moon is shrinking. 10,000 cracks on the lunar surface reveal by how much
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
A new study using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera images identified over 10,000 young faults on the Moon, allowing scientists to quantify its contraction. Researchers estimate the lunar radius has shrunk by about 148 feet (45 meters) over the past 400 to 800 million years as the interior cools. The faults include lobate scarps and mare ridges, distributed unevenly, with thicker crust areas showing fewer cracks. The findings, published October 14 in The Planetary Science Journal, refine understanding of lunar tectonics and thermal evolution.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The measured contraction provides a precise timeline for the Moon’s cooling, informing models of its interior dynamics and guiding future exploration of lunar geology.
