Height-depth ratios of lunar and terrestrial craters.

Quantitative analysis of Gilbert's (1893) observation regarding the surface geometry of lunar craters and terrestrial calderas. Topographic measurements were made using the ratio of exterior rim height to interior crater depth, and then extended to other types of crater. The morphometric data obtained as well as those presented elsewhere (Murray et al., 1970; Guest and Murray, 1969) verify Gilbert's contention that terrestrial calderas and most rimmed lunar craters are entirely unrelated phenomena. Auxiliary characteristics previously interpreted in terms of primary volcanic cratering on the moon are either of nonendogenic origin or are secondary endogenic features superposed on initial impact landforms (Pike, 1967).