Why does the Moon have more impact craters than the Earth quizlet?
The moon's surface is much more heavily cratered than Earth's surface because ancient craters have already disappeared on Earth . They were worn away over time by water , wind , and other forces . Since the moon has no liquid water or atmosphere , its surface has changed very little .
Why does Earth have less impact craters?
Understanding Earth The first reason is that Earth's surface is continuously changing because we live on a geologically active planet. Impact craters are relatively shallow, so these “dents” in Earth's rocky crust (the surface bit we can see with our eyes) can be easily buried or wiped out by erosion.
Why are there so many craters on the Moon and so few on Earth quizlet?
There are so few craters on the Earth because most have been destroyed due to plate tectonics and erosion.
What formed the craters on the Moon quizlet?
Meteorites, asteroids , and comets striking the Moon's surface created most of these craters, which formed early in the Moon's history. Upon impact, cracks may have formed in the Moon's crust, allowing lava to reach the surface and fill up the large craters. You just studied 4 terms!
Why are there so many craters on the Moon?
One reason the moon has craters because it gets hit by objects, small pieces of rocks that come from outer space. These are pieces of asteroids, comets that are flying around in the solar system. When they hit the surface, there's an impact. The moon has no atmosphere, and so even a tiny rock will create a crater.
Why are there fewer visible craters on the near side of the Moon?
It is likely that each side of the Moon has received equal numbers of impacts, but the resurfacing by lava results in fewer craters visible on the near side than the far side, even though the both sides have received the same number of impacts.
Why are most of the craters on the Moon’s surface more than 3 billion years old?
The Moon has not had tectonics for billions of years. That's a lot more time for craters to form and stay put. The third thing is volcanism. Volcanic flows can cover up impact craters.
What creates craters on the Moon?
These craters formed when rocks or comets from space smashed into the surface of the Moon. The impact was so powerful that it pulverized the ground – creating what we call regolith – and sprayed it out to form those ejecta rays.
How many impact craters are on the Moon?
Scientists found more than 100,000 craters. Locations of just some of the new moon craters. A new study has found more than 109,000 previously unknown craters on the lunar surface.
How many impact craters are there on Earth?
But the surface of Earth, constantly eroded by wind and rain, hides its history. Just 128 confirmed impact craters have been spotted on Earth's surface.
What caused most of the craters on the Moon?
The Moon has not had tectonics for billions of years. That's a lot more time for craters to form and stay put. The third thing is volcanism. Volcanic flows can cover up impact craters.
Why can we see craters on the Moon?
When one looks at the Moon in the night sky, one can see the battered surface that colliding asteroids and comets can produce on a planetary body. The impact craters on its surface are so large they can easily be seen with the naked eye from your own backyard.
How are impact craters formed?
Craters produced by the collision of a meteorite with the Earth (or another planet or moon) are called impact craters. The high-speed impact of a large meteorite compresses, or forces downward, a wide area of rock. The pressure pulverizes the rock.
How many impact craters does the Moon have?
Scientists found more than 100,000 craters. Locations of just some of the new moon craters. A new study has found more than 109,000 previously unknown craters on the lunar surface.
Why is there so many craters on the moon?
Because of tectonics, the surface of Earth is recycled many times throughout its long history. As a result, very few rocks on Earth are as old as the rocks on the Moon. The Moon has not had tectonics for billions of years. That's a lot more time for craters to form and stay put.
How come the Moon has many craters?
One reason the moon has craters because it gets hit by objects, small pieces of rocks that come from outer space. These are pieces of asteroids, comets that are flying around in the solar system. When they hit the surface, there's an impact. The moon has no atmosphere, and so even a tiny rock will create a crater.
How many impact craters are there on the Moon?
Scientists found more than 100,000 craters. Locations of just some of the new moon craters. A new study has found more than 109,000 previously unknown craters on the lunar surface.
Can you see craters on the Moon from Earth?
You may be able to see some of the larger impact craters on the Moon's surface if your vision is sharp enough, including Copernicus, Kepler, and Aristarchus and Tycho.
What causes impact craters?
Craters produced by the collision of a meteorite with the Earth (or another planet or moon) are called impact craters. The high-speed impact of a large meteorite compresses, or forces downward, a wide area of rock. The pressure pulverizes the rock.
How moon craters are formed?
These craters formed when rocks or comets from space smashed into the surface of the Moon. The impact was so powerful that it pulverized the ground – creating what we call regolith – and sprayed it out to form those ejecta rays. You can make craters like those on the Moon using simple baking ingredients!
Why is there so many craters on the Moon?
Because of tectonics, the surface of Earth is recycled many times throughout its long history. As a result, very few rocks on Earth are as old as the rocks on the Moon. The Moon has not had tectonics for billions of years. That's a lot more time for craters to form and stay put.
How did craters form on the Moon?
These craters formed when rocks or comets from space smashed into the surface of the Moon. The impact was so powerful that it pulverized the ground – creating what we call regolith – and sprayed it out to form those ejecta rays. You can make craters like those on the Moon using simple baking ingredients!