Moonquake can be triggered by Apollo 17 lunar lander base? Here's what scientific findings reveal
Apollo 17 lunar lander base has been found to generate small-scale moonquakes on a daily basis, adding a unique dimension to our understanding of lunar seismic activity. During the Apollo 17 mission, scientists meticulously calibrated three seismometers to capture data related to thermal earthquakes occurring on the moon's surface. These instruments were strategically placed on the lunar landscape, and they diligently recorded seismic data from October 1976 to May 1977, as per reports.
New findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research — Planets.
Traditionally, scientists have recognized four distinct categories of moonquakes: deep, shallow, thermal, and those resulting from meteorite impacts. However, a recent analysis of the thermal earthquake data collected during the Apollo 17 mission has uncovered an unexpected fifth type of moonquake. This newly discovered moonquake originates not from natural lunar processes but rather from the Apollo 17 lunar lander base itself, according to reports.
Upon further investigation, researchers were astonished to determine that these mysterious quakes were actually generated by the Apollo 17 lunar lander base. The cause of these quakes is the gradual expansion and vibration of the lander base, which occurs each morning as it is heated by the sun.
While these moonquakes may not be of natural lunar origin, they still provide valuable insights into the moon's seismic behavior. This unexpected discovery contributes significantly to our knowledge of the moon's geological activity, which holds particular significance for future lunar exploration and development endeavors.
FAQs
Q1. What types of moonquakes are there?
A1. There are three types of moonquakes — deep, shallow,
