The Moon, a celestial body known for its iconic craters, holds more secrets beneath its desolate surface. While the scars of turbulent impacts from above are visible, a new study suggests that chaos on the Moon also arose from below. Led by astrophysicist Jianqing Feng from the Planetary Science Institute, an international team of researchers delved deeper into the lunar subsurface using advanced ground-penetrating radar. Their findings shed light on a series of ancient lava flows that shaped the Moon’s history.
Previous studies analyzing data from the Chang’e-4 rover had provided valuable insights into the lunar subsurface. However, Feng and his colleagues sought to expand upon these findings by examining a wider range of data collected over a more extended period. By utilizing lower frequencies of ground-penetrating radar, they could explore the lunar surface at a greater depth.
Upon analyzing the data, Feng and his team made an intriguing observation. While the top 40 meters (131 feet) of the Moon appeared relatively ordinary, the situation changed significantly below 90 meters (295 feet). They discovered multiple layers within the upper 300 meters, indicating a succession of basalt eruptions that occurred billions of years ago. These layers of hardened lava provided evidence of widespread lunar volcanism in the Moon’s distant past.
Lunar volcanic activity has been a subject of considerable interest among scientists. Recent discoveries, including a buried mass of solidified magma and evidence of extended lava flows, have reshaped our understanding of the Moon’s volcanic past. The layers of hardened lava, identified by Feng and his team, contribute further to this growing body of knowledge.
The researchers found thicker layers of lava deeper down, gradually thinning as they approached the lunar surface. This suggests a depletion of internal thermal energy that drove the volcanic activity and a decrease in eruption scale over time. The largest layers measured approximately 70 meters wide, while the lava flows thinned to around 5 meters at shallower depths near the rover’s landing site.
Through their comprehensive analysis, Feng and his colleagues inferred the occurrence of at least three or four significant lava flow events. Interestingly, some of these events appeared to be relatively close together, separated by a thin layer of lunar soil. By cross-checking their measurements with data from the previous mission, Chang’e 3, the researchers determined that these subsurface features were representative of the Von Kármán crater region where Chang’e 4 had been exploring.
The Limitations of Remote Sensing
While these findings provide valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of remote-sensing data. The study offers no definitive information on the timing of lunar volcanic events but instead suggests a gradual decrease in volcanic activity as the Moon’s thermal energy dissipated. Other recent studies have also attempted to refine our understanding of the Moon’s last surges of volcanic activity, with ongoing debates surrounding the interpretation of low-frequency lunar penetrating radar data. As with any scientific discovery, these new results will undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure their accuracy and reliability.
The Moon, a beacon in our night sky, continues to captivate scientists with its hidden secrets. By exploring the lunar subsurface, Jianqing Feng and his team have unraveled the mysteries of ancient lava flows, unveiling a turbulent history of volcanic activity. Their findings shed light on the gradual decline of lunar volcanism and provide a deeper understanding of the Moon’s geological evolution. Through continuous research and analysis, we inch closer to unlocking the remaining enigmas surrounding our celestial neighbor.
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