NASA | LRO Reveals "Incredible Shrinking Moon"

Recent research led by Dr. Tom Watters reveals that the Moon has slightly shrunk and may still be shrinking. This is evidenced by the presence of lobate scarps, which are fault structures indicating the Moon's crustal materials are being pushed together. These scarps are globally distributed, suggesting a worldwide contraction of the lunar surface. The research aims to assess the age of these scarps to determine the Moon's current geological activity. The findings challenge the notion of the Moon as a geologically inactive body, suggesting it may still be active today. For more information, visit NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter homepage.

Who led the research on the Moon's contraction and what institution are they associated with?

What are lobate scarps and why are they significant in understanding the Moon's geology?

What evidence suggests that the Moon may still be actively shrinking today?

What does the global distribution of lobate scarps indicate about the Moon's geological activity?

What implications do the findings about the Moon's age have on our understanding of its geological activity?