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Why is the crust thicker on the near side of the moon than on the far side?
Right now scientists do not know why the Earth-facing side of the moon has thicker crust. One proposal is that Earth may have once had two moons that collided at relatively low speeds. The geologically different regions on the moon would then have originated from two separate moons.
How is earth's crust different from the moon's crust?
Earth's crust is composed of multiple tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle below, while the moon's crust is one solid, unbroken layer, with no tectonic activity. Earth's crust is richer in elements like silicon and oxygen, while the moon's crust is mostly made up of different types of rock, such as basalt and anorthosite.
Why is the moons crust thicker on one side than another?
The Moon's crust is thicker on the far side compared to the near side because of a phenomenon called tidal locking. This means the Moon rotates on its axis in the same amount of time it takes to orbit Earth, causing one side to always face us. The gravitational interactions with Earth's gravity have led to differences in the thickness of the crust between the two sides.
How does the Moon's movement effect the tides?
The moons gravity 'pulls' the earths water creating a 'tide.'
Is Earths moon the only moon that reflects light?
No, many moons in our solar system reflect light from the Sun. Moons like Europa, Ganymede, and Titan also reflect sunlight, just like Earth's moon.
