Moonquakes and Landslides Pose Challenges for Lunar Missions
Recent research has revealed that the Moon's south pole, a key target for future NASA Artemis missions, is prone to moonquakes and landslides. This presents a significant challenge for both robotic and crewed missions to the lunar surface.
The study, published in the Planetary Science Journal, analyzed moonquakes using data from seismometers left on the Moon by Apollo astronauts over 50 years ago. It identified faults in the south polar region that could trigger significant seismic activity, potentially jeopardizing future missions. These quakes, if not properly accounted for, could damage landing sites and infrastructure.
With multiple organizations aiming to build on the Moon, the need for building guidelines to address moonquakes is becoming increasingly crucial. Currently, no lunar building codes exist, potentially delaying construction efforts. A committee from the American Society of Civil Engineers is working on developing these guidelines, including recommendations for designing structures that can withstand seismic events on the Moon.
Unlike earthquakes on Earth, moonquakes last much longer, sometimes up to several hours. These long-duration quakes could cause cracks in structures and compromise their safety over time. The lack of data on the Moon's geology makes it difficult to predict the severity of these quakes in specific areas.
NASA and its partners are actively developing systems to minimize quake damage on lunar structures. More data is needed to better understand moonquakes, especially from the lunar south pole. Future missions could include instruments to gather this critical information.
Engineers are also exploring ways to build tall structures, like towers, that can withstand these quakes. One concept, called LUNARSABER, proposes a tall tower that could rise over 100 meters above the Moon's surface to aid in navigation and energy distribution. However, moonquakes pose a significant challenge to maintaining the stability of such structures, especially in the Moon's loose soil.