Lunar Volcanoes: Eruptions Amidst Dinosaur Era

New research suggests lunar volcanoes were active when dinosaurs roamed Earth, based on glass bead samples brought back by a Chinese spacecraft in 2020. These findings challenge previous estimates, indicating volcanic activity 120 million years ago. The study was published in the journal Science, prompting calls for further research.

New research suggests that volcanoes were still erupting on the moon when dinosaurs roamed Earth. This surprising evidence comes in the form of three tiny glass beads collected from the lunar surface and brought to Earth by a Chinese spacecraft in 2020.

Chemical analysis of the beads indicates active lunar volcanoes until about 120 million years ago, far more recent than scientists previously thought. Earlier studies based on rock samples from the Chang'e 5 mission had suggested that lunar volcanic activity ceased about 2 billion years ago.

Published Thursday in the journal Science, the new research challenges established timelines and may help us understand how long small planetary bodies, including Earth's moon, can remain volcanically active. The findings are expected to inspire further studies to explore these unexpected results.

(With inputs from agencies.)