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The Moon Is Drifting Away From Earth (1,5 Inches Per Year) and This Is How We’ll Experience the Effects

moon drifting away from Earth
By Giles Laurent - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120617277

This phenomenon is a great example of how the tiniest things can make a huge difference. Even if something is barely noticeable, it can have huge consequences in the long run. Currently, the moon is drifting away from the earth – albeit it’s doing so extremely, extremely slowly, we’ll still start to feel the effects within due time.

The Moon Is Slowly Moving Away from Earth

moon
Image via Unsplash

The Moon is not stationary. Scientists have discovered that it’s slowly moving away from Earth at a rate of 1.5 inches per year. Though this might seem small, over millions of years, it makes a huge difference. This steady drift affects the Earth in ways we are only beginning to understand.

Why Is the Moon Drifting Away?

moon
Image via Unsplash

The Moon’s gradual drift is due to tidal forces. Earth’s rotation causes ocean tides, which exert energy on the Moon, pushing it farther away. This same interaction also causes Earth’s rotation to slow down, lengthening the length of our days. It’s a fascinating interplay between the two celestial bodies.

The Days on Earth Are Getting Longer

moon
Image via Unsplash

Due to the Moon’s retreat, Earth’s days are becoming longer—though at an incredibly slow pace. About 1.4 billion years ago, a day on Earth was just 18 hours long. Today, we experience a 24-hour day, and in 200 million years, days might stretch to 25 hours.

Earth’s Climate Is Linked to the Moon’s Movement

moon
Image via Unsplash

The Moon plays a critical role in stabilizing Earth’s axial tilt, which influences climate patterns. As the Moon moves away, its gravitational pull weakens, potentially leading to changes in Earth’s climate. This process has been ongoing for billions of years, recorded in ancient rock layers.

Researchers Are Using Rocks to Study the Moon’s Drift

moon
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Geologists use a method called astrochronology to study ancient rocks and trace the Moon’s influence on Earth. By analyzing rock formations, they can identify cycles tied to the Moon’s movement. This helps scientists understand how Earth’s relationship with the Moon has evolved over billions of years.

The Moon’s Drift Affects Earth’s Tides

moon
Image via Unsplash

As the Moon moves away, its gravitational influence on Earth weakens, affecting ocean tides. Higher and lower tides are linked to the Moon’s pull, and as it drifts, these tides may shift. This could have significant effects on marine life and coastal ecosystems over time.

The Future: 25-Hour Days in 200 Million Years

moon
Image via Pixabay

If the Moon continues to drift away at its current rate, Earth’s days will gradually lengthen. In about 200 million years, we may have 25-hour days. While it’s a slow process, the change will affect everything from sleep cycles to weather patterns, though we won’t feel it in our lifetimes.

The Moon’s Formation and Its Close Relationship with Earth

Moon behind the ice
Moon behind the ice. Image by Kym Mackinnon via Unsplash

When the Moon formed 4.5 billion years ago, it was much closer to Earth. Scientists believe this was due to a massive collision between Earth and a Mars-sized object. The Moon then began to slowly drift away, glowing in the night sky as a molten body during its early days.

Lunar Retroreflectors Help Measure the Moon’s Distance

moon
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NASA’s Apollo missions installed retroreflectors on the Moon’s surface to measure its distance from Earth. These devices reflect laser beams sent from Earth back, allowing scientists to calculate the exact distance. Thanks to these tools, we know that the Moon is drifting away at 1.5 inches per year.

The Moon’s Drift Could End Total Solar Eclipses

moon
Image via Unsplash

As the Moon moves farther from Earth, it will no longer completely cover the Sun during a solar eclipse. Eventually, total solar eclipses will become a thing of the past, as the Moon’s size will appear smaller from Earth, no longer capable of blocking the Sun’s light entirely.

The Moon’s Role in Stabilizing Earth’s Rotation

moon
Image via Unsplash

The Moon helps stabilize Earth’s tilt, preventing drastic shifts in climate. As the Moon drifts away, Earth’s axis could become more unstable, potentially leading to more extreme seasons in the distant future. This is another example of how the Moon shapes Earth’s environment.

What This Means for the Future of Earth

moon
Image via Unsplash

The Moon’s gradual departure from Earth is a reminder of how interconnected celestial bodies are. Although we won’t see dramatic changes in our lifetimes, the effects of the Moon’s drift will continue to shape Earth’s climate, days, and tides for millions of years to come.