Seismic Waves May Uncover Hidden Lunar Ice for Future Moon Missions

Scientists have shown that moonquakes generate seismic waves whose speed and reflection patterns change noticeably when they pass through ice-laden regolith, allowing hidden deposits to be identified. Laboratory tests with frozen volcanic rock, temperature modeling of the south polar craters, and computer simulations of lunar quakes all produced consistent seismic markers of ice. This technique could guide future landers, such as China’s Chang'e-7 mission and NASA’s planned Lunar Environmental Monitoring Station, to verify ice locations near permanently shadowed craters like Shackleton.

Access to in-situ water would reduce the need to haul supplies from Earth, supporting longer stays and fuel production. Moreover, the ancient ice may preserve records of how water migrated through the early solar system, shedding light on the origins of Earth’s oceans.