Geologists Warn of 'Massive Damage' as Moon Enters New Epoch

Geologists and anthropologists argue that human influence on the moon has become so significant that a new geological epoch, called the "Lunar Anthropocene," should be declared. They suggest that this epoch may have started in 1959 when the Soviet Union's Luna 2 spacecraft landed on the moon, marking the beginning of lunar exploration. The researchers emphasize the need to recognize and address the impact of human activities on the moon's environment before it's too late, as upcoming missions and projects are expected to further transform its surface. They also highlight the lack of "Leave No Trace" principles applied to the moon, with discarded spacecraft components and other objects left behind. The authors call for discussions on mitigating the deleterious effects of human activities on lunar environments.