AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GEOLOGY OF THE MOON.

Abstract

An introduction to the study of the moon is presented from a geological point of view. The most important theories on lunar features are presented and discussed, and new interpretations are proposed. Lunar physiography, stratigraphy and tectonics are described. The most important physiographic features are craters, terrae, maria, rilles, wrinkle ridges, rays, halos, mountain ranges, and alpine valleys. From the physiography it is possible to speculate on the geologic processes acting on the moon. These are 'space weathering', meteoritic impact, volcanism, ballistic transportation and sedimentation, electrostatic transportation, and tectonism. The stratigraphy has been determined by applying the law of superposition. The column consists of the Pre-Imbrian, Imbrian, Procellarian, Eratosthenian, and Copernican Systems. The future of lunar exploration is discussed. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1965
Accession Number
AD0617721

Entities

People

  • Luciano B. Ronca

Organizations

  • Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Earth (Planet)
  • Earth Sciences
  • Geology
  • Interdisciplinary Science
  • Landforms
  • Lunar Exploration
  • Moon
  • Mountains
  • Physical Geography
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Ridges
  • Sedimentation
  • Space Sciences
  • Stratigraphy
  • Tectonics
  • Transportation

Fields of Study

  • Geology

Readers

  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris