This shrinkage is a result of the gradual cooling and contraction of the Moon's interior. As the Moon cools, the rocks that make up its outer layers shrink slightly, causing the overall size of the Moon to decrease. This shrinkage is also accompanied by the formation of wrinkles, faults, and cliffs on the lunar surface, which are evidence of the Moon's ongoing contraction.
The Moon's shrinkage has several implications. One significant effect is the gradual increase in the distance between the Moon and the Earth. As the Moon shrinks, its gravitational pull on the Earth weakens, causing it to move slightly farther away from our planet. This change in distance has implications for the tides on Earth and the long-term stability of the Earth-Moon system.
Despite the shrinkage, the Moon's overall size and shape are not expected to change drastically over short time periods. The rate of shrinkage is relatively slow, and the changes are gradual. However, over millions or billions of years, the effects of the Moon's contraction can become significant.