Abstract
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) is systematically imaging impact melt deposits in and around lunar craters at meter and sub-meter scales. These images reveal that lunar impact melts, although morphologically similar to terrestrial lava flows of similar size, exhibit distinctive features (e.g., erosional channels). Although generated in a single rapid event, the post-impact mobility and morphology of lunar impact melts is surprisingly complex. We present evidence for multi-stage influx of impact melt into flow lobes and crater floor ponds. Our volume and cooling time estimates for the post-emplacement melt movements noted in LROC images suggest that new flows can emerge from melt ponds an extended time period after the impact event.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | L21202 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 21 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2010 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)