5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[MIS18-P01] Volcanic activity in the lunar Orientale and Moscoviense basins
Keywords:Volcano, Crater Chronology, Orientale basin, Moscoviense basin
The Moon, a celestial body familiar to us, was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago. It is believed that the Moon's major basins were formed approximately 4.2 to 3.8 billion years ago [e.g., Hiesinger et al., JGR, 2000]. Within these basins, volcanic eruptions occurred between approximately 4.35 and 1.5 billion years ago, with volcanic activity being more intense on the near side of the Moon than on the far side [e.g., Hiesinger et al., JGR, 2003; Morota et al., EPSL, 2011]. Consequently, while studies of basins on the near side of the Moon are relatively common, research on basins located on the far side or at the boundary between the near and far sides are limited. However, such basins are crucial for understanding the global trends in lunar volcanic activity [e.g., Ishiyama & Kumamoto, Sci. Rep., 2009]. The purpose of this study is to investigate the volcanic history of the "Moscoviense Basin" on the far side of the Moon and the "Orientale Basin," which is located at the boundary between the near and far sides, using crater chronology.
First, we used the web GIS tool, LROC QuickMap [https://quickmap.lroc.asu.edu/], to distinguish lava flows based on TiO2 and FeO mineral maps. Next, we conducted crater counting on the lava surfaces using high-resolution images (10 m/pixel) obtained by the Terrain Camera onboard the Japanese lunar orbiter "Kaguya." Based on the crater chronology model [Neukum, 1984], we estimated the eruption ages of the lava flows.
As a result, we estimated that the lava erupted between approximately 3.7 and 1.6 billion years ago in the Moscoviense Basin and between approximately 3.76 and 2.00 billion years ago in the Orientale Basin, suggesting that volcanic activity in these regions occurred around the same period. These results are consistent with previous studies [Morota et al., GRL, 2009; Cho et al., GRL, 2012]. Additionally, Komarov Crater within the Moscoviense Basin shows floor fractures and an uplift of approximately 300 meters, which suggests that magma intruded beneath the surface. Similarly, we discovered uplifted terrain in the Orientale Basin, which appears to be a volcanic vent for lava flow. In this presentation, we summarize our preliminary findings and report on the volcanic history of these basins.
First, we used the web GIS tool, LROC QuickMap [https://quickmap.lroc.asu.edu/], to distinguish lava flows based on TiO2 and FeO mineral maps. Next, we conducted crater counting on the lava surfaces using high-resolution images (10 m/pixel) obtained by the Terrain Camera onboard the Japanese lunar orbiter "Kaguya." Based on the crater chronology model [Neukum, 1984], we estimated the eruption ages of the lava flows.
As a result, we estimated that the lava erupted between approximately 3.7 and 1.6 billion years ago in the Moscoviense Basin and between approximately 3.76 and 2.00 billion years ago in the Orientale Basin, suggesting that volcanic activity in these regions occurred around the same period. These results are consistent with previous studies [Morota et al., GRL, 2009; Cho et al., GRL, 2012]. Additionally, Komarov Crater within the Moscoviense Basin shows floor fractures and an uplift of approximately 300 meters, which suggests that magma intruded beneath the surface. Similarly, we discovered uplifted terrain in the Orientale Basin, which appears to be a volcanic vent for lava flow. In this presentation, we summarize our preliminary findings and report on the volcanic history of these basins.