Lunar Volcanism in the Time of the Dinosaurs!
Photos from NASA Orbiter show lunar volcanic activity during the Cretaceous Period
Post Author - Ellis Nolan
The T-Rex just can’t catch a break! New data from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter suggests the Moon might have had active volcanoes during the time of the dinosaurs.
Scientists have known about volcanism on the moon since 1969, but it was believed that lava stopped flowing on the lunar surface around a billion years ago. That is, until the Apollo 15 astronauts photographed an odd-looking volcanic deposit in 1971. The deposit, named “Ina,” appeared to be much younger than any other deposit on the moon, which led scientists to believe volcanic activity could have occurred on the moon much more recently (geologically speaking). However, Ina was not visible from the Earth, and so further research was stifled.
Flash forward to 2009, NASA launched the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (known as the LRO), a spacecraft capable of capturing visible and ultraviolet images, to help scientists conduct different studies of the moon. In a recent study of photographs from the LRO, scientists found about 70 deposits similar to Ina. Not only that, but the numerous deposits are relatively spread out, suggesting that this was not an isolated burst of volcanism, but demonstrative of a differing geological history.
Preparation work being done on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
However, the question still remains: how old are these deposits? The scientists in the study used information from lunar soil samples and the size of the deposits to make estimates. Three are thought to have formed less than 100 million years ago, and Ina itself might have formed less than 50 million years ago. To give an idea of the scale of that difference, around a billion years ago (when it was originally thought that the moon’s volcanism stopped) was the beginning of multicellular life on Earth, whereas 100 million years ago was the middle of the Cretaceous Period!
This new evidence has more even implications beyond what dinosaurs saw in the night sky—scientists will have to rewrite the book on lunar geography, as it means the mantle of the moon was much hotter for much longer than previously thought. Safe to say, even if the dinosaurs could have gone to the moon, they probably wouldn’t have liked what they found.
Want a space rock for yourself? Check out our Lunar Meteorite collection!
Featured Product
SR-71 Blackbird Fragment
Latest News
-
Sep 11, 2025 Vader’s Lightsaber Becomes the Most Expensive Star Wars Collectible! Read More -
Aug 28, 2025 Learn About the Tiny Aircraft That Turn Sunlight Into Flight! Read More -
Aug 21, 2025 Learn About The Newly Discovered Species of Early Humans! Read More -
Aug 19, 2025 Old Ironsides: The USS Constitution and the Start of the U.S. Navy Read More -
Aug 14, 2025 Learn About Iron Age Mummy Tattoos! Read More -
Jul 29, 2025 Scientists Discover First Ever Ancient Roman Trilobite! Read More
Cool Things!
Vader’s Lightsaber Becomes the Most Expensive Star Wars Collectible!
Last Thursday, an auction set a new record for Star Wars memorabilia, when a screen-used prop of Darth Vader’s lightsaber sold for over $3.6 million.
Learn About the Tiny Aircraft That Turn Sunlight Into Flight!
Of the five layers of Earth’s atmosphere, the mesosphere (the third layer from Earth’s surface) is a height at which traditional aircraft have, thus far, been unable to reach on their own power. Generally beginning about 154,000 feet above sea level, even the world record for highest aircraft altitude falls about 20,000 feet short. However, a newly developing technology may change this reality, and it involves aircraft that punch high above their weight.
Learn About The Newly Discovered Species of Early Humans!
In studying early human ancestors, known as “hominids,” anthropologists have historically found much wider variations from specimen to specimen than expected, particularly among other paleontological fields. A recent study argues that certain groups of hominid fossils previously thought to be an already discovered species constitute a new one entirely.
Specimen Deep Dives
Old Ironsides: The USS Constitution and the Start of the U.S. Navy
The Hollywood Sign: The Story of a City's Symbol Hollywoodland
Building Disneyland
Long Form Articles
The Artist Behind the Macintosh: Susan Kare and Apple Computers
While the two Steves, Jobs and Wozniak, are the most well known faces behind Apple computers, equally important to the products and culture of the company were those who crafted the experience of using their computers through design. The most notable of these visual architects was Susan Kare, a designer responsible for “humanizing” Macintosh computers.
Can I Lick It? Yes You Can!
Have you ever been unable to tell if a fossil was really a fossil, but you were too embarrassed to admit it? Have you ever wanted to lick a fossil just because, but you didn’t want to risk judgment from your peers? Well, good news! You can kill two birds with one stone! Licking a fossil can actually help you determine if it’s the real deal or just another rock.
Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite: How to Start Your Outer Space Collection!
Meteorites are some of the rarest geological specimens to be found on Earth. Of course, since these stones are not of our world, purchasing them can sometimes be a confusing process. Is it legal to own a meteorite? In short, yes! Read on for help starting your cosmic collection!