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Unlike Earth, the moon has no geologic activity, not atmosphere, and no water to erode, bury, or otherwise destroy craters. Except for newer impact craters, the moon's surface has changed relatively little since soon after its formation while none of Earth's original surface is still intact.

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Q: Why are craters visible on the moon and not earth?
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Can you see craters on the moon from earth?

No. Most of the impact craters that have formed on Earth have been destroyed and buried by geologic processes, processes that the moon lacks. While some recent impact craters on Earth remain visible on the surface, they are too small to be seen from the moon.


Does the surface of moon and earth both have craters?

yes. there are more craters on the moon because no atmosphere protects it from meteors or meteorites, but both the moon and the earth have craters


When are craters most visible on the moon?

Clear sky, full moon


Why does the moon have impact craters that are more visible than earth's?

The Moon is a more bleach environment and the Earth has Plant Life, Water, buildings, and that kind of thing. So craters on the Moon are seen better because it is more distinctive, the Moon is basically rock, dust, and more rock.


Are there more craters on Mercury and the Moon than the Earth?

The surface of the Earth has been reworked over geological time and this has erased evidence for craters that have existed on the Earth. However all the inner planets and moons have been subject to the same rate of impactors and as Earth is larger, it is therefore likely that Earth has in fact received more impactors (and therefore had more total craters) than the Moon or Mercury. There are more craters now visible on the Moon and Mercury, but there were likely many more on the Earth over the same astronomical time. But craters on Earth have become less visible due to erosion and geologic activity - these processes are much more active on Earth than on the Moon or Mercury, which have less tectonic activity, no real atmosphere, and no liquid water.

Related questions

Why do moon craters remain visible longer than earth craters?

There is no significant amount of erosion on the Moon.


Can you see craters on the moon from earth?

No. Most of the impact craters that have formed on Earth have been destroyed and buried by geologic processes, processes that the moon lacks. While some recent impact craters on Earth remain visible on the surface, they are too small to be seen from the moon.


Who has more craters the earth or the moon?

there are more craters on the moon then on earth


What is vitello leather?

Vitello is one of the craters that are visible on planet earth's moon. It is circular and situated at the Southern hemisphere of the moon.


Does the surface of moon and earth both have craters?

yes. there are more craters on the moon because no atmosphere protects it from meteors or meteorites, but both the moon and the earth have craters


When are craters most visible on the moon?

Clear sky, full moon


Why does the moon have impact craters that are more visible than earth's?

The Moon is a more bleach environment and the Earth has Plant Life, Water, buildings, and that kind of thing. So craters on the Moon are seen better because it is more distinctive, the Moon is basically rock, dust, and more rock.


Are there more craters on Mercury and the Moon than the Earth?

The surface of the Earth has been reworked over geological time and this has erased evidence for craters that have existed on the Earth. However all the inner planets and moons have been subject to the same rate of impactors and as Earth is larger, it is therefore likely that Earth has in fact received more impactors (and therefore had more total craters) than the Moon or Mercury. There are more craters now visible on the Moon and Mercury, but there were likely many more on the Earth over the same astronomical time. But craters on Earth have become less visible due to erosion and geologic activity - these processes are much more active on Earth than on the Moon or Mercury, which have less tectonic activity, no real atmosphere, and no liquid water.


Why does earth lack craters?

Earth does have impact craters, but it has much few than the moon or Mercury and many of them are not readily visible. The main reason is that Earth has many active geologic processes that renew and change its surface, burying and destroying impact craters. If an impact crater on Earth is clearly visible then it probably formed quite recently in geologic history. Many of the impact craters on the moon and Mercury are billions of years old, dating to when the solar system was young and large asteroid impacts were far more common than they are now. Very little of Earth's crust from that time remains intact. By contrast craters on Earth that are tens of millions of years old are not readily visible.


Why are craters preserved on the moon but not on earth?

Earth is geologically active and has wind and water to erode craters. The moon is geologically dead and has no atmosphere and thus no erosion. There is nothing on the moon to destroy impact craters.


Which side of the moon has more craters?

The "darkside" or the part of the Moon that does not face the Earth has the most craters.


What landforms do the earth and moon have?

Craters