The Moon.

[Hemperor]

Here's a question that I was pondering on.

If say the moon that orbits Earth was destroyed, what exactly would happen to our oceans?

Has there been much research into this? I know it seems like a far fetched possibility, but could our planet survive without the moon?

[spike021]

Here's a question that I was pondering on.

If say the moon that orbits Earth was destroyed, what exactly would happen to our oceans?

Has there been much research into this? I know it seems like a far fetched possibility, but could our planet survive without the moon?

Course it can. But there would be one less gravity pulling at our waters from such a close distance. There also could possibly be less of a gravatic pull on the waters which may decrease wave base/height(I forget the exact name). So if that happened, surfers would freak.

[Hemperor]

So nothing terrible would happen?

[spike021]

So nothing terrible would happen?

Not too sure if anything terrible would happen, so you may need other's word on that, but I think it would depend on the circumstances.

[Hardrive]

Are you considering the impact that the lack of tides would have?

[spike021]

Are you considering the impact that the lack of tides would have?

Definitely less erosion. It may possibly decrease upwelling of nutrients from the bottom of the ocean to the shorelines. It may cause the end of some earth features as we know it, and may also transform into something else entirely.

[Archaemic]

I'm sure the lack of a proper tide pool would do something, especially to the life that relies on it.

[Ciaran_]

I'd say its would have some major repercussions. Alot of water and heat is moved around the planet in the oceans and any major disruption would have major effects on the entire weather system. Not sure exactly what though.

[PeterPetrelli]

Something I found

Let's theorize a bit on this -- Let's assume that all of a sudden we had no moon where there was one. The moon gravitationally affects the earth and is most obvious to us through the ocean's tidal effect. Tides play an important part by influencing ocean currents that move cold water into warm and warm water into colder oceans. This effect causes an abundance of nutrients to be dispersed that contribute to the life cycle of larger organisms such as plankton, fishes and other sealife. Disruption of the tidal effect could have a significant impact on sealife and could result in mass extinctions of species that humans depend upon for food.

The ocean currents also play a significant role in the development of our climate and weather systems that contribute to the production of plants, most of which we humans depend upon for food, and oxygen production. Disrupt ocean currents and you subsequently disrupt the earth's climate and weather patterns possibly creating a super ice age or significant warming of the earth's atmosphere. Any change here could be manifested in mass extinction of most plant species or an evolution of plant species that may not contribute to human's existence.

Another effect of the moon's gravity is on the earth's molten core. Take away this effect and you stabilize the earth's core which in turn reduces tectonic activity and allows the core to cool and eventually solidify. Once this occurs, significant disruption of the earth's magnetic field results in the loss of protection from solar radiation and puts all life on earth at risk of severe radiation exposure and subsequent mass extinction of most life on earth.

Looks like it could be pretty serious

[spike021]

Heh, now that is an interesting quote.

[FreePlay]

The earth's core won't solidify just because the moon is gone. It's molten because a) it's under immense pressure, and b) the planet is spinning, creating a lot of friction and convection currents.

[Archaemic]

The earth's core won't solidify just because the moon is gone. It's molten because a) it's under immense pressure, and b) the planet is spinning, creating a lot of friction and convection currents.

False. Well, I mean, yes, it is under immense pressure, but that wouldn't cause it to melt. Unlike ice, pretty much everything that undergoes extreme pressure becomes a SOLID. The Earth's core is no exception. Despite the insane temperature at the inner core, it's solid from the insane pressure.

[reaperchad]

I would be more worried about what happens to the pieces that break up from blowing it up...I would worry about that first.
*This is just an assumption, how else can we be rid of it by conventional means?

[SpiderJames]

I would be more worried about what happens to the pieces that break up from blowing it up...I would worry about that first.
*This is just an assumption, how else can we be rid of it by conventional means?

I thought we were talking about the moon being gone, not blowing it up :o

[Sullivan]

I thought we were talking about the moon being gone, not blowing it up :o

*This is just an assumption, how else can we be rid of it by conventional means? - reaperchad

[SpiderJames]

*This is just an assumption, how else can we be rid of it by conventional means? - reaperchad

oops my bad

[PSPHax0r9]

False. Well, I mean, yes, it is under immense pressure, but that wouldn't cause it to melt. Unlike ice, pretty much everything that undergoes extreme pressure becomes a SOLID. The Earth's core is no exception. Despite the insane temperature at the inner core, it's solid from the insane pressure.

What about the outer core, isn't that liquid?

[Archaemic]

Yes, the outer core is liquid, but because of temperature, not pressure.