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Mapping and Interpreting Moulton Crater and Its Surroundings

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Mapping and Interpreting Moulton Crater and Its Surroundings 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2021 (LPI Contrib. No. 2548) 1767.pdf MAPPING AND INTERPRETING MOULTON CRATER AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. Mohini J. Jodhpurkar1, Lillian R. Ostrach2, and Nicolle E. B. Zellner3 1Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85282 ([email protected]) 2USGS Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. 3Albion College, Albion, MI 49224. Introduction: Moulton crater (~50 km in diameter, Information from the WAC, NAC, LOLA, and D, 61.1° S, 97.2° E) is located in the Southern Clementine data in this region was then used to delimit Hemisphere, on the lunar farside. Its location makes this geologic contacts within the map area. The units derived crater impossible to study from Earth-based from this process were given brief descriptions, relying observations. However, since 2009, the Lunar primarily on morphologies and interpretations of Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) has been composition. systematically imaging the Moon with its Wide Angle Results and Discussion: A basic geologic map with Camera (WAC) and Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) [1], compositional and morphologic interpretations was providing the means to photo-geologically map this created by refining boundaries visible in WAC imagery region. using NAC imagery and attempting to identify more With NASA’s return to lunar exploration and a focus detailed geologic features (Fig 1). Clementine UVVIS on the South Pole, Moulton crater is worth studying in data also provided compositional information to help greater detail to understand how it fits into the broader identify contacts between different units in this geologic context of the region, as it contains a record of the map. Though it was difficult to derive a complete intersection of several geologic processes. Moulton stratigraphy for the crater during this preliminary effort, crater is situated between Mare Australe, a large but relative age relations determined through superposition poorly understood expanse of lunar highlands, and and crosscutting suggest that the highlands unit may be Schrödinger basin (D=316 km). Vallis Schrödinger (375 oldest, with the mare unit subsequently infilling the km long), thought to have formed as a result of the crater. The small lava flows are probably more recent impact that formed Schrödinger basin, terminates at the additions, with the large secondary chain of craters rim of Moulton crater [2]. Moulton’s immediate indicating a more recent event. surroundings also include Chamberlin crater (D=58 km) NAC scale crater counting of the mare unit infilling to the northwest, and superposes the rim of Moulton H Moulton crater yielded 2820 craters with D ≥10 m. Much crater (D=44 km) to the east. Since neither humans nor of the resulting crater size-frequency distribution plot robotic sample return missions have been to the farside can be fit to the 3.6 Ga isochron, suggesting it is a useful of the Moon, we do not have known samples with ages estimate for the model age of this mare unit. By contrast, from that region. However, crater counting provides the the WAC scale count of Moulton and its surroundings means to derive an absolute model age rather than yielded approximately 640 craters with D ≥500m. These relying solely on other methods of relative dating, such data were best fit with the 3.93 Ga isochron, supporting as crosscutting relationships [3]. Absolute model age the stratigraphic interpretation that the highlands are estimates rely on comparing crater densities to older than the mare (Fig 2). established crater models, which is currently the best Vallis Schrödinger appears to superpose the rim of method to estimate ages remotely and is necessary for Moulton crater, suggesting that Moulton crater pre-dates this study [4]. the Schrödinger event. Thus, future work will focus on Moulton crater warrants further study, both because exploring whether there is other compositional and of the interaction of volcanic and impact processes geomorphological evidence that also suggests this recorded within it, and because of its place in the broader relation. Solidifying this relationship would further context of the lunar surface. constrain Moulton’s age in lunar history and lend Methods: We utilized data from the Lunar Orbiter additional support in making interpretations about the Laser Altimeter (LOLA) and LROC WAC and NAC lunar environment. images to better understand regional topography and Acknowledgements: Thank you to Jaclyn Clark, morphology, as well as Clementine UVVIS data to who assisted with the interpretation of CSFD plots. identify compositional units. NAC images whose References: [1] Mazarico, E., et al. (2018) PSS, 162, footprints included the Moulton mare unit were utilized -19. [2] Kramer, G.Y., et al. (2013) Icarus 233, 131-148. [3] for crater counting, in addition to the WAC scale count. Michael, G. & Neukum, G. (2010) EPSL, 294, 223-229. [4] Crater counting was conducted using the ArcGIS add- Fasset, C. I. (2016) JGR, 121, 1900-1926. [5] Kneissl, T., et al. on, CraterTools [5], and the minimum threshold (2011) PSS, 59, 1243-1254. [6] Robbins, S. J., et al. (2014) diameter for the NAC count was 10 m, while the WAC Icarus, 234, 109-131. was 500 m [6]. 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2021 (LPI Contrib. No. 2548) 1767.pdf Figure 1: Preliminary map of Moulton crater, created using WAC imagery to draw initial boundaries and then refining contacts with NAC imagery and Clementine UVVIS data. WAC NAC Chamberlin Moulton Moulton H Vallis Schrodinger Figure 2: WAC basemap of WAC NAC Moulton crater and surrounding region, with highland area marked in blue, and yellow box showing the mare region identified for the NAC crater count. Counted craters are marked in red. CSFD plots show that the age of the highlands region is ~ 3.93 Ga and the mare unit is ~ 3.6 Ga. .
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