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Scientists believe that tectonic activity is not occurring on the moon. This is because the moon lacks radioactive decay. The moon is not constantly supplied heat and energy from decaying unstable isotopes like Earth. Also, Earth is heated by the original heat during its formation. Since the moon was most likely broken off from earth, it lacks this central heat.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoPlate tectonics require relatively large worlds, and it is believed the Moon is too small to have had any. Scientists believe liquid water is necessary for plate tectonics to take place on a world the size of Earth or smaller. There is some evidence for tectonic activity on Mars and Venus in the distant past, but there is no evidence that either of those planets have current tectonic activity.
The Moon is believed to be solid, with no molten magma mantle nor core, but does experience a variety of earthquakes (technically, moonquakes): from meteor strikes, from thermal expansion in its upper crust as different parts of the moon's crust are thawed during a lunar dawn (a 'night' on the moon lasts about two weeks). The moon is also known to have deeper quakes that are believed to be from tidal interactions with earth, and moonquakes tend to last much longer than those on earth, with many quakes having been recorded by seismology equipment left on the moon from the Apollo missions shaking the moon for over 10 minutes each.
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Why have very old craters on the moon not be erased as similar craters on earth have been?
Unlike Earth, the moon does not have air, water, glaciers, or plate tectonics to erase craters. The only forces that significantly alter the moon's surfaces are impacts that form new craters.
Why can you still see craters on the moon even though they were formed by ancient meteor collisions?
Unlike on Earth, the moon has no water, no air, and no plate tectonics; it is geologically dead. As a result, there is nothing to wear away or destroy the craters.
What are the long deep cracks in the Maria Bedrock on the Moon called?
Rilles. All trenches on the Moon a called by this appellation, since we don't know exactly what caused them [ i. e. , plate tectonics , erosion , or other terms we use for cracks on Earth ] .
Why is the moon full of craters but the earth is not?
The Moon's surface is heavily cratered because of of meteor impacts. Meteors are able to more commonly strike the Moon's surface than the Earth's surface because the Moon's atmosphere is not as strong as the Earth's, so less meteors burn up in the Moon's atmosphere than they do in the Earth's atmospheres. So the craters are simply the result of heavy meteor impacts. Answer #2 The moon has no weather to erode craters. Speculation is that the earth has been hit at least as many times as the moon because of our greater mass. Wind, water, and plate tectonics wipe out the evidence on earth.
What causes the Moon's appearance to change as it revolves around earth?
the sun because the moon doesnt make its own light
Are there any evidence that plate tectonics operated on the moon?
no,because the moon is really ugly like some people on this earth
Does the moon have plate tectonics?
YESS! It does. (:
Are there plate tectonics on the moon?
I don't believe so.
Does gravitational attraction between the Sun the Moon nd the Earth create guyots?
No, it is usually plate tectonics.
Why isn't the earth more cratered than the moon?
Because of plate tectonics.. Also because of the plants, foliage, and water that covers the Earth's surface.
Is there any evidence that plate tectonics operate on the moon?
No. The only object other than Earth that shows evidence of processes similar to plate tetonics is Jupiters 4th largest moon, Europa.
Why are impact craters on Earth harder to see than those on Mercury or the Moon?
Unlike Mercury of the moon, Earth is geologically active. Erosion, deposition, and plate tectonics have buried or destroyed most of Earth's craters.
Are any of the mountains on the moon formed by plate tectonics?
yes
Why isn't the surface of the earth cratered like the moon or like mercury?
It is. But unlike the Moon or Mercury, Earth has an atmosphere, which erodes, and a dynamic crust, (plate tectonics), which renews and alters its surface wiping out most signs of craters.
What contributes to the lack of evidence of the period of heavy bombardement on earth?
Weathering, plate movements, and volcanoes destroyed many of the craters. The factors contribute to the lack of evidence of heavy bombardment of earth. This evidence was subducted or, if not subducted, weathered; since Earth was and still is a "living" planet, meaning a planet with active plate tectonics and an active hydro/atmosphere. This activity is in contrast to the Moon, where plate tectonics stopped shortly after its formation and where a hydro/atmosphere could never form. Both because the Moon was simply too small (and thus too light) to sustain plate tectonics and to keep volatiles with him/her.
What contributes to the lack of evidence of the periods of heavy bombardment on earth?
Weathering, plate movements, and volcanoes destroyed many of the craters. The factors contribute to the lack of evidence of heavy bombardment of earth. This evidence was subducted or, if not subducted, weathered; since Earth was and still is a "living" planet, meaning a planet with active plate tectonics and an active hydro/atmosphere. This activity is in contrast to the Moon, where plate tectonics stopped shortly after its formation and where a hydro/atmosphere could never form. Both because the Moon was simply too small (and thus too light) to sustain plate tectonics and to keep volatiles with him/her.
What contributes to lack of evidence of the period of heavy bombardment on earth?
Weathering, plate movements, and volcanoes destroyed many of the craters. The factors contribute to the lack of evidence of heavy bombardment of earth. This evidence was subducted or, if not subducted, weathered; since Earth was and still is a "living" planet, meaning a planet with active plate tectonics and an active hydro/atmosphere. This activity is in contrast to the Moon, where plate tectonics stopped shortly after its formation and where a hydro/atmosphere could never form. Both because the Moon was simply too small (and thus too light) to sustain plate tectonics and to keep volatiles with him/her.
