Q Given that the tides are dependent on the moon, what would happen if a meteorite smashed into the moon and wiped it out? Could earth survive without it and what would happen to the oceans? - Joshua Peat, aged 9, Barnard Castle.
A If a meteorite smashed into the moon and wiped it out, the effect on the earth would be catastrophic. The mass of debris resulting from the collision with the earth would probably wipe out most of our planet's life.
However, this is not likely to happen. But what if the moon were suddenly to disappear, what would happen if some celestial magician cast the moon into 'thin space'? If the moon were to suddenly disappear, the effect on the earth might not be quite so catastrophic. One obvious effect would be upon the tides.
It is well known that the moon causes tides, however the sun would also have an impact upon tides if the moon was removed. It is estimated that without the moon, tides would still exist but would be one third as high as they are today. Without the moon we would only have low and high tides, as there would be no neap or spring tides that occur when the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth.
If the moon was taken away there would also be an effect on the earth's rotation. Without the moon's significant gravitational pull, the earth would rotate faster, perhaps much faster, making days on earth shorter. Speedy rotation would cause faster winds, many reaching hurricane proportions.
Over very long periods of time - billions of years - the moon has had a stabilising effect on the earth's tilt. As the earth rotates on its axis it has a slight tilt during the course of its orbit around the sun. This results in the different seasons and is caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and Jupiter.
The moon has an effect in stabilising this tilt and so ensures that seasonal climatic extremes are not as great as they might be. It is hard to be certain what effect the disappearance of the moon would have today.
Many evolutionary theories suggest that life may not have existed at all if it were not for the moon. The theory is that life evolved from the primordial soup as a result of its development in rock pools and that tides played a major part in mixing the ingredients and then washing them into the oceans.
If you have a Burning Question, or can improve on any of the answers above, please write to Burning Questions, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF or e-mail david.simpson@nne.co.uk
Published: 30/09/2002
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