Volcanoes were once active and erupted on the dark side of the moon

JAKARTA – US and Chinese researchers have found evidence that volcanoes erupted on the far side of the moon billions of years ago.

Analysis of samples collected by the Chinese mission found fragments of basalt (volcanic rock formed after an eruption) that were more than 4.2 billion years old. The findings were published in the journals Nature and Science on Friday.

The secret side of the moon

Although scientists know of volcanic activity on the near side of the moon, which we can see from Earth, the “dark side” of the moon is very different in geology, and is still largely unexplored.

The rock and dust samples – the first ever taken from the far side of the moon – were collected by the Chang’e-6 spacecraft, after a dangerous mission of nearly two months.

Amazing discovery Eruption

Led by experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the researchers used radiometric data to determine the age of the volcanic rocks.

Their study also revealed that about 2.83 billion years ago a “spectacular” eruption occurred, something that has not yet been detected on the near side of the moon.

“This is a very interesting study,” wrote Professor Qiuli Li of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics in a detailed peer review. “This is the first geochronology study derived from the Chang’e samples -6, and will be of great importance to the lunar and planetary science community.”

Getting to know the West Side of the Moon

Although it is widely known as the “dark side,” this part of the moon receives a lot of sunlight.

This is because the moon is tidally locked to Earth, and takes the same amount of time to orbit our planet – about 27 days – meaning we always face the same direction.

The first picture of the far side of the moon

The first images of the far side of the moon were taken in 1959 by the Soviet spacecraft, Luna 3. The images were uncertain, but they gave Earthlings a view of the moon from different angles.

Since then, several high-quality images have been posted back, including a great NASA video showing the moon from the side, with Earth in the background.

Read also: The United States and China fight for control of the south pole of the moon

And earlier this year, during the Chang’e-6 mission, a small rover was sent in to take selfies of a lander sitting on the rocky surface of the far side of the moon.

The discovery of volcanic activity on the far side of the Moon provides new insight into the history and evolution of Earth’s natural satellite.

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