0
Earth is geologically active and has an atmosphere and water. The moon has none of these. The atmosphere protects Earth from smaller objects, but not from larger ones. When craters do form on Earth, wind water, and ice erode them away and often bury them in sediment. What is left of the craters may be destroyed by plate tectonics as rocks are folded, faulted, or sink into the mantle. Other than asteroids and comet impacts, the moon's surface has changed little since it first formed.
Earth's geology is more dynamic than the Moon's, with processes like erosion, tectonic activity, and weathering constantly reshaping the surface and filling in craters. The Moon has no atmosphere or active geology, so craters there remain visible for longer periods of time. Additionally, Earth experiences more impacts from smaller meteoroids that burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the surface, reducing the number of craters that form.
The Earth has a dense atmosphere that causes many meteors to burn up in the atmosphere so they never strike the ground. The moon does not, so every meteorite that is attracted strikes the surface and leaves a crater.
Earth's atmosphere "burns up" meteors, etc.
Also, many of the impact craters on earth are covered by soil or rocks or other geological and by the oceans They have also suffered erosion from the water and the atmosphere over the years. This does not happen on the moon because there is no atmosphere.
There are two reasons:
1) Fewer are created
Fewer meteors impact the Earth's surface because they burn up or explode in the atmosphere. Others will land in the water (most of Earth's surface) and will form fewer craters.
2) They get eroded away
For the ones big enough or dense enough to reach the ground, their craters are erased by erosion and plant growth in as little as a few years. The largest ones are erased by tectonics over a long period of time. Of the ones that persist, only a very small number are distinguishable as impact craters rather than volcanic features or dry lakes.
Friction caused by the Earth's atmosphere causes all incoming meteoroids to be broken apart before hitting the ground (kind of like an invisible sandpaper quickly wearing them away). The Moon, which has no atmosphere, is subject to impacts from all incoming meteoroids. It's not because the Earth gets hit less often, it's just because we are protected by our atmosphere.
Only a small percentage ever reach the surface, and most do not make huge, persistent craters. Even those craters that are made are mostly eroded away, or disguised by later geologic activity. The Moon has almost no erosive action, other than new impacts, so millions of impacts made over millions of years are mostly still visible on its surface.
The consensus is that after the bombardment creating the craters Lave flows from volcanoes cover the maria.
They are smooth because they were once liquid. A result of the lava flow from the volcanic eruptions that formed them.
Mars, unlike the Moon, has an atmosphere and strong winds which erode craters.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why do you see so few craters on the earth compared to the moon?
The Earth has fewer visible craters compared to the Moon because Earth's active geological processes such as erosion, plate tectonics, and volcanic activity continuously reshape its surface, gradually filling in or erasing impact craters. In contrast, the Moon does not have these processes, so craters remain preserved for much longer periods of time.
Which side of the moon has more craters?
The side of the moon that faces Earth (the near side) has more craters compared to the far side. This is because the near side is more exposed to impacts from space debris due to its proximity to Earth, while the far side is shielded from some impacts by the moon itself.
Why are there relatively few craters in the maria of the moon?
The maria on the moon have fewer craters compared to the highlands because they are made of younger, solidified lava flows that have covered and filled in older cratered regions. The volcanic activity that created the maria also played a role in erasing or masking the older impact craters.
Does the moon have more craters than earth?
Yes, the moon has more craters than Earth. This is because the moon lacks an atmosphere to protect its surface from impacting rocks and debris, whereas Earth's atmosphere helps to burn up most objects before they reach the surface.
Do meteors hit the moon?
Yes, meteors do hit the moon. The moon's surface is pockmarked with craters from impacts of meteors over billions of years. The lack of atmosphere on the moon makes it more susceptible to meteor impacts compared to Earth.
Why do you see so few craters on the earth compared to the moon?
The Earth has fewer visible craters compared to the Moon because Earth's active geological processes such as erosion, plate tectonics, and volcanic activity continuously reshape its surface, gradually filling in or erasing impact craters. In contrast, the Moon does not have these processes, so craters remain preserved for much longer periods of time.
Who has more craters the earth or the moon?
there are more craters on the moon then on earth
Why are more craters present on the moons surface than on earths?
The moon has more visible craters on its surface compared to Earth because it lacks an atmosphere to protect it from impacting objects. Earth's atmosphere burns up most small asteroids and meteoroids before they can reach the surface, resulting in fewer visible impact craters. Additionally, the moon's lack of geological activity means that its craters remain preserved over time.
Which side of the moon has more craters?
The side of the moon that faces Earth (the near side) has more craters compared to the far side. This is because the near side is more exposed to impacts from space debris due to its proximity to Earth, while the far side is shielded from some impacts by the moon itself.
Why are there relatively few craters in the maria of the moon?
The maria on the moon have fewer craters compared to the highlands because they are made of younger, solidified lava flows that have covered and filled in older cratered regions. The volcanic activity that created the maria also played a role in erasing or masking the older impact craters.
Does the moon have more craters than earth?
Yes, the moon has more craters than Earth. This is because the moon lacks an atmosphere to protect its surface from impacting rocks and debris, whereas Earth's atmosphere helps to burn up most objects before they reach the surface.
Do meteors hit the moon?
Yes, meteors do hit the moon. The moon's surface is pockmarked with craters from impacts of meteors over billions of years. The lack of atmosphere on the moon makes it more susceptible to meteor impacts compared to Earth.
Why are some areas of the moon smooth with no craters?
Smooth areas on the moon, known as lunar maria, were formed by ancient volcanic activity filling in large impact basins. These basins were created by asteroid impacts billions of years ago. The lava flows from volcanic activity created the smooth, dark basaltic plains we see today.
Why are craters preserved on the moon but not on earth?
Earth is geologically active and has wind and water to erode craters. The moon is geologically dead and has no atmosphere and thus no erosion. There is nothing on the moon to destroy impact craters.
What landforms do the earth and moon have?
Craters
Why are there more and larger creaters on the surface of the moon than the earth?
There are more and larger craters on the Moon's surface compared to Earth because the Moon lacks an atmosphere to protect it from incoming meteoroids, allowing more impacts to leave visible craters. Earth's atmosphere helps protect the surface by burning up many smaller meteoroids before they reach the ground, resulting in fewer visible craters. Additionally, geological processes like weathering, tectonic activity, and erosion constantly reshape Earth's surface, further reducing the number and visibility of impact craters.
Why do you see many impact craters on the moon but not earth?
The Earth has weather patterns that have eroded most of the craters on Earth. The moon has no weather, therefore no erosion.
