# Is Earth's Moon seismically stable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earths-moon-seismically-stable/786936 "2017-05-18T16:59:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earths-moon-seismically-stable/786936/1 "2017-05-18T16:59:08Z")
If I settle down and build a beach house at the edge of Mare Imbrium, does it need to be up to code quake-wise, ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earths-moon-seismically-stable/786936/2 "2017-05-18T17:06:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Compared to the Earth, the Moon is seismically stable. The majority of the 500 detectable moonquakes every year fall within the 1-2 magnitude range on the Richter scale. Quakes in this range are generally undetected on Earth due to the seismic background noise. > **[Texas Space Grant Consortium](https://ig.utexas.edu/tsgc/)** ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earths-moon-seismically-stable/786936/3 "2017-05-18T18:06:26Z")
Your bigger problem would be finding a beach. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earths-moon-seismically-stable/786936/4 "2017-05-18T18:20:04Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Your bigger problem would be finding a beach. 😉 Beaches aplenty. Water at them? Priceless. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earths-moon-seismically-stable/786936/5 "2017-05-19T14:22:07Z")
I guess my first question is which building code are you using … which immediately brings us to the jurisdictional issues … launching from California gives you the advantage of having access to more modern technologies, but then you’ll need to comply with their more stringent earthquake mitigation requirements … whereas launching from Povertonia allows far more lenient code compliance but you’d kinda be stuck using adobe bricks for construction … I think you’ll find getting homeowner’s insurance the biggest obstacle … things like your new home being air tight isn’t normally covered in building code but I’m sure your insurance carrier will require it … clear-cutting the jungle back 100 feet for a “defensible” space in case of forest fires … a sea wall to combat rising sea levels if you decide to carry flood protection … the list goes on … Alternately you can bring some guns along and hold a Sovereign Citizen position … I’m not a lawyer but I think that might actually work in a court of law … if I understand the international treaties you’ll only need to be conducting some _bona-fide_ scientific research there … I’m absolutely sure I’m not the only one who thinks it’s of critical importance to know if cats spray as much in the low-G environment … Let me know if you plan on renting out the spare bedroom … I’m interested …