Increased Moonquake Frequency Uncovered: New Analysis Challenges Past Estimates   

• Recent research re-evaluating seismic data from the Apollo missions has revealed that moonquakes occur 2.6 times more frequently than previously estimated. This updated analysis, which employs modern techniques to re-examine historical data, uncovers a significant increase in seismic activity in the Moon’s northern hemisphere. The data shows comparatively lower seismic activity in the southern hemisphere, where NASA’s Artemis III mission will land. Seismometers recorded data almost continuously from 1969 through 1977, capturing around 13,000 seismic events. However, much of this data was initially unusable due to being so contaminated by other sources, such as extreme temperature changes and impacts from deliberate drops of rocket boosters and lunar modules. Still, some newly identified quakes were shallow moonquakes originating from the Moon’s upper crust, which is valuable data for understanding the Moon’s internal structure. These revised findings suggest higher seismic risks in regions previously considered stable, emphasizing the need for detailed planning and risk assessment for future lunar missions. The study highlights the importance of modern analytical methods in re-evaluating historical data, providing new insights into the Moon’s geological dynamics and internal processes. J.K. Park Staff Reporter junior/1723617736/1613368089