Seismic waves traveling through the moon's crust could expose vast deposits of ice hidden beneath the lunar south polar region, according to research into moonquake detection methods.

Scientists propose using existing seismometers deployed on the lunar surface, or new instruments sent to the moon, to map subsurface ice by analyzing how seismic waves propagate through different materials. Ice and rock transmit vibrations at different speeds and frequencies. By studying these patterns from natural moonquakes or artificial impacts, researchers can identify water ice deposits without drilling or excavation.

The lunar south pole represents the moon's most promising location for water ice. Permanently shadowed craters there maintain temperatures below minus 170 degrees Celsius, cold enough to preserve ice for billions of years. Previous orbital observations suggest substantial water deposits exist, but confirmation requires ground-truth measurements.

Moonquakes occur regularly on the moon, triggered by tidal stress, thermal expansion, and potentially meteorite impacts. The Apollo missions left seismometers on the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972, providing the first evidence that the moon experiences quakes. Modern instruments would offer improved sensitivity and data transmission compared to those early networks.

Using seismic surveys to detect ice offers practical advantages over other methods. Ground-penetrating radar requires close proximity to target areas and struggles with icy terrain. Spectroscopic analysis from orbit indicates water presence but cannot measure depth or volume reliably. Seismic methods penetrate deep into the lunar crust, mapping three-dimensional ice distributions across wide areas.

The technique remains unproven on the moon but parallels successful applications on Earth, where geophysicists routinely map underground aquifers, mineral deposits, and geological structures using seismic data. Adapting these methods for lunar exploration requires accounting for the moon's lower gravity, thinner crust, and absence of liquid water oceans