Moonquakes and Lunar Tectonics: What Future Moon Missions Need to Know

As humanity prepares for a sustained return to the Moon, understanding the lunar environment – including the potential for seismic activity – is becoming increasingly critical. Recent research has revealed a surprising degree of ongoing tectonic activity, suggesting the Moon isn’t the geologically dead world it was once thought to be. This activity manifests as moonquakes, which could pose hazards to future lunar infrastructure and astronauts, but also offer valuable insights into the Moon’s formation and internal structure.

The Shrinking Moon and Tectonic Stress

For decades, scientists have known the Moon is slowly shrinking as its core cools. Research published in February 2026 confirms this contraction continues to drive geological changes on the lunar surface. Unlike Earth, which has a fractured crust composed of moving plates, the Moon’s crust is a single, continuous shell. As the Moon shrinks, this shell experiences stress, leading to the formation of distinctive landforms.

Minor Mare Ridges: Signatures of Lunar Activity

A key focus of recent research has been on small mare ridges (SMRs), subtle geological features found across the lunar maria – the dark, basaltic plains visible from Earth. Scientists at the National Air and Space Museum’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies have created the first global map and detailed study of these ridges. The findings, published in The Planetary Science Journal, show that SMRs are relatively young and widespread.

As of February 2026, researchers have identified 2,634 SMRs on the Moon, including 1,114 previously unrecognized segments. These ridges form through the same forces linked to past moonquakes, suggesting they could indicate new seismic hotspots.

Moonquakes: A Hazard and an Opportunity

The discovery that SMRs originate from the same tectonic activity as lobate scarps – larger tectonic features found in the lunar highlands – is significant. This indicates that moonquakes could occur across the lunar maria, anywhere an SMR is present. While potentially hazardous for long-term lunar missions or permanent outposts, moonquakes also present opportunities to learn more about the Moon’s interior and its formation.

Implications for Future Lunar Missions

Several upcoming missions are poised to enhance our understanding of lunar seismic activity. NASA’s Artemis missions, particularly Artemis III scheduled for 2028, will deliver the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS-A3) to the lunar south polar region. This station will be designed to detect seismic activity and assess potential hazards to future infrastructure.

Beyond NASA, private companies like Interlune are also planning long-term lunar operations, including mining for resources like helium-3. Understanding areas prone to moonquakes will be crucial for selecting safe locations for outposts and infrastructure.

Researchers anticipate that dedicated seismometers carried on these missions will detect moonquakes originating from SMRs or asteroid impacts, providing valuable data to better understand our closest celestial neighbor.

Key Takeaways

• The Moon is still shrinking, causing ongoing tectonic stress.
• Small mare ridges (SMRs) are widespread across the lunar maria and indicate recent tectonic activity.
• SMRs are linked to moonquakes, potentially posing hazards to future lunar missions.
• Upcoming missions like NASA’s Artemis III will deploy seismometers to monitor lunar seismic activity.
• Understanding moonquake risks is crucial for planning safe and sustainable lunar operations.