What happens when the distance between the moon and the earth is halved?



The earth keeps the inclination of the rotation axis at 23 degrees due to the attraction of the moon, and it is said that the climate of the earth changes greatly even if the inclination of the earth's axis changes by 1 degree. Regarding the moon, which has such a great influence on the existence of the earth, the science news site Live Science explains 'What happens when the distance between the moon and the earth is halved?'

What would happen if the moon were twice as close to Earth? | Live Science

https://www.livescience.com/what-if-moon-closer-to-earth.html



The situation that 'the distance between the earth and the moon is halved' seems to be the setting of the science fiction movie, but when a huge object approaches the moon, 'the moon also faces the earth as if the object is pushed out by the drainage ditch'. It can be pushed out, 'said Neil Comins, a physicist at the University of Maine.

The first effect of the moon on the earth is the ebb and flow of the tide. Since the moon has an attractive force, the sea on the side facing the moon becomes 'high tide' due to the attractive force, while the seawater becomes low and becomes 'low tide' in the direction perpendicular to the moon.

According to Comins, if the distance between the moon and the earth is halved, the lunar attraction will act more strongly on the tide, and the height of the tide will increase eight times. This will increase the number of islands that disappear below sea level most of the time and coastal areas that are uninhabitable due to storm surges.

In addition, the moon affects not only the tide but also the earth. A sharp increase in lunar attraction could disrupt the Earth's energy state, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, commented Jazmin Scarlett, a history and social volcanologist at Queen Mary, University of London. Just as there is a satellite called the Moon on Earth, there is a satellite called Io on Jupiter, but Io's intense volcanic activity is thought to be influenced by Jupiter and two other satellites. If the distance between the moon and the earth suddenly halves, it is thought that the volcanic activity of the earth will become active like Io.

Also, as a result of the seawater being pulled by the moon, the friction between the seabed and the water slows the rotation over time. As of 2021, the rotation of the earth is slowing down at a speed of '1/1000 second in the 1st century', but when the distance between the moon and the earth is halved, the speed will be further slowed down and the time of the day will be prolonged. thing. In addition, the area where the moon covers the sky is large, so solar eclipses occur frequently.



If the distance between the moon and the earth is not suddenly halved, but slowly halved over time, tides and crustal movements will occur more slowly, and life on Earth will adapt to it. I can think of it. For example, animals may adapt to brighter moonlight, and prey targeted by carnivores may be more able to hide.

in Science, Posted by darkhorse_log