A team of researchers has proposed a new explanation for the Moon's long volcanic history. According to their simulations, Earth's gravitational pull could be the key to understanding why the Moon remained volcanically active for so long. The study, published in the journal Planet, suggests that tidal forces could concentrate heat near the boundary between the lunar core and mantle. This localized heating could influence mantle movement, but it's not clear if it was enough to power surface eruptions. The research team, led by Miao Chen from Chengdu University of Technology, used computer simulations to examine how the Moon's deep structure could turn repeated tidal deformation into localized heating. Their findings describe a possible mechanism, but its strength depends heavily on assumptions about the ancient lunar orbit and the properties of deep rock. Further calculations and independent evidence are needed to determine how much this mechanism contributed to actual volcanism. The study's results offer a new piece of the puzzle behind the Moon's prolonged volcanic history, which is preserved in lunar rocks that date back to 2 billion years ago. The discovery was made possible by samples returned by China's Chang'e-5 mission, which provided valuable insights into the Moon's geological history. The research team's work highlights the complex and still-unresolved nature of the Moon's volcanic history, and the need for further investigation to fully understand the processes that shaped the lunar surface.