Just a random question, but an honest one. If our moon was destroyed or damaged (by, an asteroid, perhaps), what effect would that have on the Earth climate-wise, ocean-wise, etc.?
2007-02-23 10:11:57 · 18 answers · asked by Josh 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well, we would no longer have normal tide cycles (as the moon's gravity is more than partially responsible for tides), although they might not go completely away, as the gravity of the sun is also partially responsible for them.
Also, if you've ever seen pictures of the back side of the moon, you can see that the moon acts as an occasional asteroid/meteor shield, taking hits from such space junk as might otherwise have an impact on earth. We might get hit by more objects over the course of time.
Another thing: the earth would change its speed of rotation (I think), although I cannot remember if it would speed up or slow down. (I think it would speed up). So, days would no longer be 24 hours long.
On a positive note: No more worrying about werewolves.
Lastly, we would have to change a lot of song lyrics: Think about it. The moon would no longer "hit your eye like a big pizza pie", there would be no "moon out tonight" and no "moon over Miami" (or Parma, for that matter). Also, Van Morrison would no longer feel that it was a "marvelous night for a moon-dance", the cheap Irish bastard.
Seriously, though, while these effects seem small, they would have cataclysmic effects for ol' Mother Earth. If a change of +2 degrees is going to have a deleterious effect on the earth's climate (you know, global warming), imagine what would happen if there were massive floods, asteroid impacts, longer or shorter periods of sunlight, and a lack of werewolves. Most of the world's species would be in danger of going extinct in the long run!
2007-02-23 10:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by bookraiders 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I don't think it would have a heck of a lot of effect.
Well, assuming that no pieces of it hit the Earth, which they probably would.
Assuming the moon were destroyed but nothing hit the Earth because of it, then the tide would probably be affected, as the moon plays a role in the oceans' tide. That's about it I think.
2007-02-23 10:15:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Earth's surface would be blasted by infalling debris from whatever cataclysm destroyed or extensively damaged the Moon. Ocean tides would diminish and Earth's gradually slowing rate of rotation would become less.
2007-02-23 10:16:44 · answer #3 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some of the earth would be flooded because there would be no celestical body to control the tides. The tides would become rogue and the sea level would rise like crazy in certain spots.
2007-02-23 10:16:09 · answer #4 · answered by Dan 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If the Moon was destroyed we would have no more tides. This means that ocean water would stagnate on the coasts.
2007-02-23 10:51:54 · answer #5 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The moon affects the tides, so I would imagine the ocean would change drastically.
2007-02-23 10:15:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Electromagnetic field around the Earth will be much weaken. If such E&M field fail to protect us, high energy particles will go through and hit us.
Besides, tidal waves and ocean currents will changed too.
2007-02-23 11:08:37 · answer #7 · answered by chanljkk 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i heard that the moon is very slowly moving away from the earth and it will eventually not effect tides, but that is about it, that may be just a rumor, but that's all it would do, no tides:(
2007-02-23 11:45:07 · answer #8 · answered by Josey 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it would be reaaallly dark after the sun went down. I think that the lack of low and high tides would reak havoc on the world. the oceans would not filter particels, we would tailspin into an ice age.
2007-02-23 11:16:22 · answer #9 · answered by erinxray 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Huge floods the moon control the tide.
2007-02-23 10:15:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋