The Moon and Earth are slowly but steadily separating, a phenomenon that has been happening for millions of years and could have major effects on the length of days and the diversity of life on the planet.
The distance between the moon and Earth can cause changes on Earth and the diversity of planets – Image: Canva/Disclosure/NDGeologist He Huang, of Chengdu University of Technology in China, led the study. study To investigate the consequences of this lunar separation over time.
The distance between the Moon and Earth has had a major impact on natural processes – Photo: UFSC/Divulgação/NDThe distance of the Moon directly affected the rotation of the Earth, causing the planet to begin to rotate faster. As a result, days on Earth became 2.2 hours longer over millions of years.
Although this change was gradual, it had a major impact on natural processes, such as atmospheric oxygenation, which is crucial to the evolution of more complex life forms.
The explosion that gave birth to life on Earth
An explosion millions of years ago would have made terrestrial life possible on this planet and caused the distance between the moon and Earth – Photo: Freepik/Disclosure/NDOne of the most important periods in Earth's history is known as the Cambrian Explosion, which occurred about 541 million years ago. During this time, life on the planet experienced an explosion in diversity and complexity, with larger and more complex life forms emerging.
Scientists believe that the distance from the moon and the resulting lengthening of the days played a major role in this process, making the Earth a more suitable environment for the reproduction and diversity of life.
How did scientists come to these conclusions about the distance between the moon and the Earth?
To reach these conclusions, the researchers studied ancient rocks called tidal deposits, which record changes in tides over time. This data was combined with mathematical models that simulate the gravitational interactions between the Moon and Earth.
Scientists have identified two crucial moments when the Earth's rotation rate changed in line with the Moon's, revealing the effects of the distance between the Moon and Earth – Image: Freepik/Disclosure/NDScientists have identified two pivotal moments when Earth's rotation rate changed: one during the Cambrian explosion and the other between 340 and 280 million years ago, when massive glaciers covered much of the planet.
The movement away from the Moon is a process that will continue to affect the Earth, albeit very gradually. As the Moon's gravitational influence decreases, the Earth's rotation will continue to slow, resulting in longer days over millions of years.
These changes, though slow, demonstrate the complex interconnectedness of the Moon and life on Earth, and how small adjustments can lead to major shifts in our planet's history.
