The Hidden Volcanic History of the Moon's Far Side Revealed

Scientists from the US and China have discovered volcanic rock samples dating back over 4 billion years on the Moon's far side, providing new insights into its geological history.

Volcanoes have been confirmed to have erupted on the Moon's enigmatic far side billions of years ago, as shown by recent research conducted by US and Chinese scientists. This groundbreaking study, published in the Nature and Science journals, analyzed rock fragments collected during China’s Chang’e-6 mission, which successfully retrieved the first samples from this elusive lunar region.

The basalt fragments analyzed were found to be over 4.2 billion years old, indicating a significant volcanic history. Despite previous knowledge of volcanic activity on the Moon's near side, researchers were fascinated by the discovery of a relatively "young" eruption, occurring roughly 2.83 billion years ago, an event that remains absent in the geology of the near side.

Professor Qiuli Li from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics remarked on the study's significance, emphasizing its impact on lunar and planetary science. This research marks the first geochronology analysis derived from the Chang’e-6 mission, which was launched amid a series of challenges and risks.

Often referred to as the "dark side" of the Moon, this area receives ample sunlight, which is hidden from Earth due to the Moon's tidal locking. The lunar rotation and orbit synchronize, causing one hemisphere to perpetually face our planet.

The first glimpses of the far side were captured by the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 in 1959. Since that landmark capture, advanced images have revealed detailed views of the Moon, including a fascinating NASA video showcasing the far side with Earth in the backdrop. More recently, the Chang’e-6 mission deployed a small rover that took a selfie of the lander positioned on the rugged surface of the far side, further enhancing our understanding of this lesser-known lunar region.