Rock of Ages: The Moon’s Surface is Older Than Previously Thought
- A Moon crater was formed millions of years earlier than previously estimated
- The crater resulted from a collision with an asteroid the size of Sicily
The Moon’s surface is much older than initially estimated, according to new research.
This discovery provides a better understanding of the formation of its cratered landscape.
Scientists highlight the Imbrium Basin, one of the largest craters in our solar system, as evidence of their findings.
They believe this basin was created by an asteroid collision, approximately the size of Sicily. The team now suggests it occurred around 4.1 billion years ago, earlier than the previously estimated date of 3.9 billion years ago.
Researchers from Norway and France have coordinated different dating systems to analyze the Moon’s surface, including using rock samples from the Apollo landings.
A giant crater on the surface of the Moon was probably created by an asteroid crashing into it 4.1 billion years ago (File photo: The surface of the Moon with the earth behind it)
Presenting the research at the Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference in Lyon, Professor Stephanie Werner, from the Centre for Planetary Habitability at the University of Oslo, stated: ‘What we have done is to show that large portions of the lunar crust are around 200 million years older than previously believed.’
The researchers clarify that their findings do not affect the age of the Moon itself, but rather the estimated age of its surface and the period when it experienced significant impacts from space debris.
Professor Werner explains: ‘This is an important distinction. It allows us to extend the timeline of intense bombardment from space further back in time, which we now know occurred before widespread volcanic activity.’
‘Given this occurrence on the Moon, it is highly likely that Earth also experienced this earlier bombardment.’
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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
