The Moon Might Still Have Active Volcanoes, China's Chang'e 5 Sample-Return Probe Reveals

Recent evidence from China's Chang'e 5 mission suggests that the Moon had active volcanoes as recently as 120 million years ago. Tiny glass beads found in lunar dirt indicate that volcanoes erupted on the Moon within a geologically recent timespan, and the Moon could potentially still be volcanically active today. This discovery challenges previous understanding of lunar evolution.

Historical volcanic activity on the Moon is well-documented, evidenced by dark volcanic plains called lunar maria, dating back 3 to 3.8 billion years. It was long thought that volcanic activity ceased after this period. However, Chang'e 5's findings show that volcanic eruptions occurred as recently as 123 million years ago, with an uncertainty margin of 15 million years, suggesting ongoing lunar volcanic history.

The recent volcanism evidence came from three out of 3,000 glass beads within the 0.6 ounces (1.7 grams) of lunar dirt recovered by Chang'e 5. Such beads, measuring 20 to 400 microns, can form from violent asteroid impacts or magma fountains. Three glass beads of volcanic origin found near the volcanic domes of Mons Rümker were dated using uranium-lead methods, showing they formed 123 million years ago, indicating a younger geological age than previously known. This implies the Moon may still generate volcanic activity.

Earlier evidence from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) in 2014 identified about 70 features called irregular mare patches (IMPs) consistent with recent volcanism. These smooth, round mounds adjacent to rocky terrain on volcanic plains, some less than 100 million years or even 50 million years old, were identified through crater counts, indicating geologically young regions.

Existing thermal evolution models suggested that the Moon’s interior should have cooled significantly since its formation 4.5 billion years ago, leading scientists to question current volcanic activity. Research measured high concentrations of heat-generating elements like potassium, yttrium, phosphorus, and lanthanum in the recent volcanic beads, which provide the thermal energy needed for lunar mantle rock melting and modest eruptions.

Potential questions arising include the current volcanic activity of the Moon. Transient lunar phenomena (TLP) — transient, ghostly, colored hazes — have been reported by amateur astronomers but are disputed due to lack of probe confirmation. These phenomena could be explained by volcanic outgassing, now considered potentially valid due to Chang'e 5 findings and IMP observations.

These revelations imply that the Moon might not be as geologically inactive as once thought, shedding light on volcanic history previously unconsidered. Future lunar missions could even leverage existing volcanic energy. The Chinese Chang'e 5 findings, published on September 5 in the journal Science, inspire further inquiry into the ongoing mysterious fiery potential of our celestial neighbor, adding layers to both lunar development and potential lunar habitation explorations.

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