Distribution, Morphology, and Origin of Ridges and Arches in Mare Serenitatis

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1975 Distribution, Morphology, and Origin of Ridges and Arches in Mare Serenitatis T. A. MAXWELL; T. A. MAXWELL 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar FAROUK EL-BAZ; FAROUK EL-BAZ 2National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. H. WARD S. H. WARD 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1975) 86 (9): 1273–1278. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1975)86<1273:DMAOOR>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation T. A. MAXWELL, FAROUK EL-BAZ, S. H. WARD; Distribution, Morphology, and Origin of Ridges and Arches in Mare Serenitatis. GSA Bulletin 1975;; 86 (9): 1273–1278. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1975)86<1273:DMAOOR>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Lunar mare ridges and arches in Mare Serenitatis were mapped to understand better their mode of formation. Mapping of these features indicates that several pre-mare impacts in the Serenitatis area may be responsible for the localization of the circular ridge systems and that the subsurface, pre-mare topography is more complex than previously recognized.Apollo Lunar Sounder cross sections of ridge systems in southern Serenitatis indicate 50 to 100 m of local relief on these features. Ridges in the southwestern part of the basin mark the boundary of a bench 200 m above the local mare level. As reflected in their orientation, arches and ridges are possibly controlled both by rings of pre-mare basins resulting from impacts and by a more widespread global stress system. Small-scale features of ridges, such as medial lineations and lobate margins, do not conclusively define the origin of the ridges. However, estimates of crustal shortening from Lunar Sounder data and the coincidence of the major ridge system with the Serenitatis mascon suggest that ridges and arches were formed by gravitational readjustments of the mare fill along four probable impact structures and along a north-trending fracture pattern. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.