you know movie Bruce Almighty? That’s right, this 2003 film starring Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Steve Carrell, and Jennifer Aniston tells the story of if a human being is given the power of God. In one scene, Bruce (Carrey) is seen using his divine powers to attract the Moon to enchant Grace (Aniston).
Indeed, the film is just a comedy film. However, aren’t you curious, what happens if the Moon is “pulled” closer to Earth? After all, all this time the Moon was just there, right? Well, let’s suppose, here are 4 things that will happen if the Moon gets closer to Earth.
1. The tide becomes higher
In the movie Bruce Almighty, the approach of the Moon makes flash floods everywhere. In fact, it may indeed happen if the Moon suddenly approaches Earth. During this time, the effect of the Moon’s gravity causes tides.
However, the original physicist University of Maine, Neil Comins, predicts that if the Moon’s distance to Earth (384,400 km) was cut in half, the tides would be eight times higher!
“Islands will sink and coastlines will become uninhabitable due to high tides,” said Comins, quoted Live Science.
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2. More earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
volcano erupts and lightning (nytimes.com)–
The phenomenon of the Moon’s approach to Earth does not only affect the tides of waters on Earth. Comins warned that this scenario could also affect the mainland. When the Moon gets too close to Earth, waves of energy reverberate across the planet due to the spike in the Moon’s gravitational attraction.
Supports the opinion of Comins, a volcanologist at Queen Mary University of London, Jazmin Scarlett, said that this could have an impact on the Earth’s crust.
“In other words, more earthquakes and volcanic eruptions,” he added Scarlett.
Let’s take the example of Io, a natural satellite that orbits the planet Jupiter and is famous for having more than 400 volcanoes. Io’s volcanic nature is due to the gravitational tug of war between Jupiter and its two other large moons, Europa and Ganymede. Well, the same thing could happen to Earth if the Moon were closer.
Also Read: Uninhabitable, 7 Places in the Solar System with Extreme Climates
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3. Earth’s rotation slows down
illustration of Earth’s rotation (earth-chronicles.com)–
Due to the sudden impact on the Earth’s crust, Earth’s rotation will slow down over time. This is because the Moon’s gravity attracts seawater, so the friction between the ocean floor and Earth’s waters slows the planet’s rotation.
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“Right now, Earth’s rotation is slowing by about a thousandth of a second per century,” said Comins.
As the Moon gets closer to Earth, Earth’s rotation will slow down even more. As a result, the days on Earth become longer.
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4. Solar eclipse and super moon so more often
Illustration of an annular solar eclipse. (Doc. BMKG)–
The previous three consequences mean the end of life on Earth. However, if we could survive all the earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami-like tidal waves, and long days, then we would see solar eclipses more often!
“Because the Moon is bigger and covers a larger area of the sky, the Moon will cross the Sun more often from our point of view,” said Comins.
In addition, we can also see the corona (outer atmosphere) of the Sun shining around the dark silhouette of the Moon, although it is not very clear. The phases of the Moon will look the same, but are much bigger in the night sky!
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Can the Moon get close to Earth?
illustration of the Moon being closer to Earth (instagram.com/jesse.chance) –
Fortunately, the Moon is still within its natural distance and path at this time. Is there a natural factor that can cause the Moon to be closer to Earth? Although it sounds impossible, the answer is still “Yes”!
“If a sufficiently massive object passes between Earth and the Moon, and the Moon is in the right place of its orbit when this object passes, the massive object has the potential to draw energy from the Moon. This will cause the Moon to be closer to Earth,” he said. Comins.
So, there must be a large asteroid passing through Earth, and the Moon must be in the right position and time to be pushed or pulled by the asteroid’s force. However, it will take years for the Moon to be closer to Earth, so that our planet will not feel the effects directly.
Big moon (news.nationalgeographic.com)–
As the Moon slowly approaches Earth, the Earth’s crust and tidal phenomena will gradually change. Therefore, living things on Earth may adapt to these changes.
“Hopefully this will allow living things on Earth to adapt. Long days change Earth’s climate, thereby driving evolutionary change,” said Scarlett.
What evolutionary change is Scarlett referring to? For one thing, animals have to adapt to the moon’s brighter light at night. For example, weak nocturnal creatures must learn to hide at night to avoid being exposed to the moonlight and being preyed upon by nocturnal predators.
Those are the things that can happen if the Moon decides to approach Earth. More harm than good, right? Luckily, the Moon stays at a distance this time, huh!
Also read: 10 Strangest Moons in the Solar System, Something Similar to Earth!
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