The moon and Earth formed at approximately the same time. Use information from Table 1 and your knowledge of Earth’s geologic processes to explain why the moon has millions of crat... The moon and Earth formed at approximately the same time. Use information from Table 1 and your knowledge of Earth’s geologic processes to explain why the moon has millions of craters while the Earth only has 128.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of why the moon has many more craters than Earth, despite both having formed around the same time. It requires the use of geologic processes and possibly additional data from a referenced table.
Answer
Differences in atmosphere and geological activity cause the Moon to have more craters.
The main reasons the Moon has millions of craters while Earth has only 128 are Earth's atmosphere and geological activity. Earth's atmosphere protects it from impacts, and geological processes like erosion, weathering, and plate tectonics erase craters over time.
Answer for screen readers
The main reasons the Moon has millions of craters while Earth has only 128 are Earth's atmosphere and geological activity. Earth's atmosphere protects it from impacts, and geological processes like erosion, weathering, and plate tectonics erase craters over time.
More Information
The Moon's lack of an atmosphere means it experiences minimal erosion, preserving impact craters. In contrast, Earth's geological processes and atmosphere continually reshape its surface.
Tips
A common mistake is not accounting for Earth's active surface processes like erosion and tectonics, which effectively hide or erase craters.
Sources
- Why Does the Moon Have Craters? | NASA Space Place - spaceplace.nasa.gov
- Answers to: The moon and Earth formed at approximately the same ... - classace.io
- Shaping the Planets: Impact Cratering - Lunar and Planetary Institute - lpi.usra.edu
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