[Mystericon]

Lol Oh dear... But on the good side; Less tidal waves

"Oh yeah, I didn't think of that" - My Physics teacher

[Ophiolite]

quote:Originally posted by neilep
I would welcome your thoughts and speculations on how life would be here on Earth if we had no moon !

Dr.B has already quoted the New Scientist review of the hypothesis that life could not have originated without the frequent, dramatic salinity fluctuations on the early Earth, as a consequence of a much closer moon and a six or seven hour day. Of course, if you suspect life originated around black smokers or via pan spermia, this would not be a limitation.

However, the move from the seas to land was undoubtedly facilitated by tidal range. Without the moon the tides raised by the sun would be paltry affairs, and it is doubtful if life would ever have made it onto land.

Dr.B also mentioned the stability of our axial tilt afforded by the moon. This deserves to be emphasised. Without the moon's stabilising influence the Earth's wobble would range from a few degrees to over forty. The effect upon climate would be dramatic and would arguably lead to frequent mass extinction events.

Another factor worth considering relates to plate tectonics. Life, certainly as we know it, could not exist on an Earth that lacked plate tectonics. The mobility of the plates is made possible because the quantity of sialic material (granite like) that makes up the contintents is small, and these can move around readily. If the proportion was higher is probable that the plates would long since have locked in place.
Much of the Earth's old sialic components are what make up the moon, having been thrown there by the collision with a Mar's sized planetoid, as mentioned by upton. So, without that collision and consequent loss of much of the original crust and upper mantle, plate tectonics may never have taken a hold on the Earth, and we would not be here to contemplate the monotony of moonless nights.

[neilep (OP)]

Ophiolite,

Thank you for your excellent response.

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[DrPhil]

If there were no Moon we wouldn't have any lunatics or werewolves.

[neilep (OP)]

quote:Originally posted by DrPhil

If there were no Moon we wouldn't have any lunatics or werewolves.

[][]LOL !!...and there's plenty on this site right now !!

Men are the same as women.... just inside out !!

[Hadrian]

The tidal system on earth played a big part in how life evolved. No moon no us and therefore no loonies or werewolves!

[deordiedaz]

and i would never get myt leg over again cos that only happens once in a blue moon lmao

[Hadrian]

I would miss the moonlight

 

What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.