Question

Compare the surface of the Earth to that of the Moon. Why doesn't the Earth's land retain the same scarring from meteorite impact as the Moon? Why doesn't the Earth's ocean retain the same scarring from meteorite impact?

Answer 1

Hello!

The reason the Earth doesn't retain the same scarring from meteorite impact as the moon is because Earth has things that can wear this scarring down, while the moon doesn't. This is primarily because the Moon doesn't have an atmosphere while the Earth does.

For example, Earth's land doesn't retain the same scarring from meteorite impact as it has wind, rain, plants and all these things which erode the scarring away. However, the moon doesn't have these things. There is no wind, no rain, and nothing to blow away the scarring. Even footprints can last on the moon for this reason.

Earth's ocean doesn't retain the scarring either because of the water. The water, plus all of its currents and plant growth erodes away the marks, and eventually, they will disappear.

Hope this helps!