What revised the estimated end of significant lunar activity compared to early consensus?
Answer
Modern remote sensing technology
The initial scientific consensus regarding the Moon's geological timeline, largely based on the returns from the early Apollo missions, suggested that the satellite cooled down and became quiet relatively early in its history. However, advancements in remote sensing capabilities allowed scientists to gather much more detailed information about surface features and subsurface conditions. This modern technology dramatically revised the timeline, indicating that significant geological activity, such as isolated volcanism and tectonic deformation, persisted much closer to the present day than previously imagined, pushing back the estimated date of complete geological cessation.
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