Final answer:
Craters on Earth have largely been erased by erosion and plate tectonics, whereas the Moon's lack of atmosphere and geological activity have preserved its craters. Scientists now recognize the significant role these erased craters played in the evolution of life on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Earth Doesn't Have As Many Visible Craters as The Moon
Even though both Earth and the Moon have been hit by interplanetary debris such as asteroids and comets, we do not see as many impact craters on Earth. This is because craters on Earth have been erased by erosion and plate tectonics.
The Earth's dynamic geological activity includes the movement of its tectonic plates, which can drastically alter the landscape, and erosive processes, which degrade and remove evidence of impacts over time. Whereas the Moon, lacking these geodynamic processes and an atmosphere, retains its craters over billions of years. Recently, scientists have understood that these geologic activities not only erased craters from the Earth's surface, but also played a crucial role in the evolution of life.