The Moon Is Moving Away From Earth

The Moon is gradually drifting away from Earth at a rate of about 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) per year. This is a result of the tidal interactions between the Earth and the Moon. As the Earth's gravity pulls on the Moon, it causes the Moon’s orbit to gradually expand. Conversely, the Earth’s rotation is slowing down as energy is transferred to the Moon’s orbit. Over millions of years, this means the Moon will continue to move farther away, though it will take billions of years before this has any noticeable effect on our planet.

What the Moon’s Drift Means for Earth

Although the Moon is moving away, its presence still has significant effects on Earth, especially on tides. The Moon’s gravitational pull creates tidal forces, causing the oceans to bulge and recede. These tides help stabilize Earth's axial tilt, which plays a key role in maintaining a stable climate. As the Moon moves farther away, these tidal forces will slowly diminish, potentially affecting Earth's climate over very long timescales. Despite this, it will take a vast amount of time before any major impact on our planet’s life-sustaining systems is felt. Shutdown123