Scientists have found evidence that moon is still changing and astronauts may face new risks
Space agencies are putting more focus on the Moon as plans for future missions move forward. Scientists now say the Moon is not as geologically quiet as it looks, with new evidence showing its surface is still changing and that some landing zones may carry added risk. That matters most around the lunar south pole, where astronauts, landers, and future base hardware could face shaking, slope failures, and shifting ground.
Scientists mapped more than 1,100 new lunar ridges
Researchers reported in February 2026 that they had identified 1,114 previously unrecognized small mare ridge segments across the Moon’s near-side maria. That raised the total known number of these ridges to 2,634, according to the study described in the source material. Scientists said the features are signs that the Moon is still contracting as its interior cools.
The Moon’s diameter has shrunk by about 160 feet over the past several tens of millions of years, based on estimates cited in the report. As the interior loses heat, the crust is compressed and breaks along faults. That process creates ridges and scarps that leave visible marks on the surface.
Researchers also estimated that the average small mare ridge is about 124 million years old. Earlier work put the average age of lobate scarps at about 105 million years. Scientists said those ages make both types of features among the youngest known landforms on the Moon.
Why the south pole is getting extra attention
The lunar south pole is a major target for future missions because permanently shadowed craters may hold water ice. The area around Shackleton Crater has drawn particular interest for that reason, along with nearby high ground that could receive useful sunlight for power generation. Scientists said those advantages now have to be weighed against seismic hazards.
Apollo seismometers recorded shallow moonquakes more than 50 years ago, and one event tied to south pole faults was estimated at magnitude 5. Scientists said moonquakes can last for hours because the Moon’s dry, fractured crust does not dampen vibrations the way Earth does. That means even moderate shaking could affect equipment and crews differently than people might expect.
What is confirmed is that some slopes near the south pole could be vulnerable to landslides during seismic shaking. What is not yet known is the full extent of active faulting across all candidate landing and base sites. Scientists said current seismic records remain limited because Apollo instruments were placed only on the near side.
What this means for astronauts and lunar hardware
Scientists said low gravity adds another problem for astronauts working on the surface. The Moon’s gravity is about one-sixth of Earth’s, and Smithsonian lunar geologist Tom Watters said even small ground acceleration could knock an astronaut off balance. Loose regolith could also shift during shaking, especially on steep crater walls.
The risk is not limited to people. Researchers said seismic motion could shift lander footpads, tilt instruments, and affect power or communication equipment. Over time, repeated shaking could also stress joints, anchoring systems, cables, and pipelines used for long-term infrastructure.
Scientists said the findings do not mean lunar exploration should stop. Instead, the current view is that future missions will need better hazard maps, more seismometers, and construction methods designed for unstable ground and possible moonquakes. The broader takeaway is that the Moon is still changing, and mission planners will need to account for that as exploration expands.
