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Scientists used to think the Moon was a dead world. They believed it cooled down long ago and stopped changing billions of years ago. Many saw it as a silent, empty sphere. However, new research shows the lunar surface is actually very active. While the Moon moves differently than Earth, the proof is clear. A team of scientists has created a detailed global map revealing small ridges hidden in the dark, flat plains known as the lunar maria. These features are surprisingly young. The discovery shows that the Moon is still shrinking; this process creates stress in the ground, forming these new ridges. These findings are very important for the safety of future astronauts who might land there soon.
It is a mistake to think the Moon has no life inside. A research team from the Smithsonian Institution found fresh proof of its activity. On February 12, 2026, they announced that small ridges are everywhere and are geologically young. These features are located on the lunar maria, the large, dark flat areas visible from Earth. By making a detailed map, scientists proved the Moon moves much more often than previously thought. This map is a key tool for understanding the current state of the lunar crust.
Furthermore, these small ridges could be the source of shaking events. Just as earthquakes happen on Earth, the Moon experiences moonquakes. The presence of these young ridges suggests the Moon is still generating internal stress. If these ridges cause moonquakes, they could be dangerous for people on the surface. It is essential to know where these activities occur to plan safe missions. The scientific community shared these results in The Planetary Science Journal on December 24, 2025. The data changes how we view the Moon's recent history. A researcher noted that recent tectonic activity is more widespread than previously recognized, expanding the number of potential sources for moonquakes.
To understand these new ridges, we must first look at other features. The Moon does not have large, moving plates like Earth. Instead, it has a single, solid shell of crust. When this shell feels stress, it can break or bend. One common result is the formation of lobate scarps. These form when the crust is squeezed, pushing material up from below along a fault line. This movement creates steep, curved ridges that mark where the ground broke.
For many years, scientists knew lobate scarps are common in the lunar highlands, the lighter, mountainous regions. These scarps formed within the last billion years, showing that the Moon has been shrinking throughout its history. However, we did not fully understand the extent of similar small ridges in the dark plains until now.
The newly found small mare ridges are distinct because of where they are found. Lobate scarps are located in the highlands, whereas the small mare ridges exist primarily in the lunar maria. These are the large, dark, and flat regions on the side of the Moon we see. Cole Nypaver, a research geologist at the Smithsonian, explained the importance of this. He stated that since the Apollo missions, scientists have known about lobate scarps in the highlands and some wrinkle ridges in the maria. However, this is the first time researchers have documented the full extent and specific youth of these small ridges across the entire dark plain.
Nypaver noted that this work provides a complete view of recent movement. This view helps scientists understand the Moon's interior, its heat history, and its seismic past. By mapping these features, researchers can predict where shaking might occur. This knowledge helps keep future exploration missions safe.
The team created the first-ever complete list of small mare ridges. Scientists had found some before, but they lacked a full count. This new study changed everything. They added 1,114 new ridges to the records, bringing the total count to 2,634. These new features are located on the dark plains on the side facing Earth.
The researchers also determined the age of these formations. The data suggests the average age is 124 million years, which is very recent for the Moon. For comparison, the lobate scarps in the highlands are about 105 million years old. While 124 million years sounds old to us, in geological terms it is incredibly young. This means the Moon has been reshaping its surface until very recently. The study showed that both types of ridges originate from the same cause: the same type of ground fault. Tom Watters, a co-author, said this discovery completes the picture. He stated, "Our detection of young, small ridges in the maria, and our discovery of their cause, completes a global picture of a dynamic, contracting moon."
Finding these young ridges changes the safety protocols for spaceflight. The Moon shakes just like Earth; these events are called moonquakes. Knowing where these quakes might occur is crucial. Mission planners must decide where astronauts can land safely. If a landing spot is near a young, active ridge, it might shake frequently. By knowing where the ridges are concentrated, planners can pick safer zones and choose places with less risk of shaking.
Cole Nypaver highlighted how exciting this time is for science. He said, "We are in a very exciting time for lunar science and exploration. Upcoming lunar exploration programs, such as Artemis, will provide a wealth of new information about our moon." He stressed that understanding tectonics and seismic activity will help future missions. The ability to predict and avoid hazardous areas is key to keeping humans safe on the Moon for a long time. In summary, a new study shows that ridges in the dark plains prove the Moon is moving. This changes our view from a dead world to a dynamic one. The list of 2,634 ridges offers a new baseline for science and a vital safety map for the next generation of explorers.