Lunar crater chains of non-impact originApollo 15, 16, and 17 photographs were scanned for lunar crater chains consisting of three or more aligned craters with similar states of degradation, and the origin of these chains is considered. The mode of origin for mare crater chains appears to be associated with either collapsed lava tubes or cinder cones, while the origin of highland crater chains generally seems to involve highland volcanoes. Crater chains from mare regions range from 20 to 40 km long and appear to have no preferred structural control of their orientation. Highland crater chains range from 1 to 113 km long and may be structurally controlled by the lunar grid system.
Document ID
19780062842
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Eppler, D. (Lunar and Planetary Institute Houston, Tex., United States)
Heiken, G. (California, University Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)