(LAC-42) Geologic map of the Mare Serenitatis region of the moon
Dates
Publication Date
1966-01-01
Time Period
1965-01-01
Citation
M. H. Carr, 19660101, (LAC-42) Geologic map of the Mare Serenitatis region of the moon: , https://doi.org/10.5066/P9I8EV94.
Summary
The surface of the Moon is heterogeneous. Surface materials are classed on the basis of telescopic observations into map units, each having lateral continuity and a limited range of physiographic characteristics and optical properties (mainly polarization and albedo, the reflectivity under full moon illumination). Such units are analogous to the rock-stratigraphic formations of terrestrial geology. By application of the principles of superposition and intersection, these formations are arranged in order of relative age and grouped into time-stratigraphic units. Following terrestrial convention, the major time-stratigraphic units are designated systems, and their subdivisions series; corresponding to these are periods and epochs of [...]
Summary
The surface of the Moon is heterogeneous. Surface materials are classed on the basis of telescopic observations into map units, each having lateral continuity and a limited range of physiographic characteristics and optical properties (mainly polarization and albedo, the reflectivity under full moon illumination). Such units are analogous to the rock-stratigraphic formations of terrestrial geology. By application of the principles of superposition and intersection, these formations are arranged in order of relative age and grouped into time-stratigraphic units. Following terrestrial convention, the major time-stratigraphic units are designated systems, and their subdivisions series; corresponding to these are periods and epochs of time (Shoemaker, 1962; Shoemaker and Hackman, 1962). Each formation is given either a descriptive designation or a formal stratigraphic name, and a symbol composed of an abbreviation of its age assignment (capital) and name (lower case). Formations exposed at the surface are outlined on the map by solid or dashed contacts. Dotted contacts and symbols in parentheses refer to buried units whose characteristic topographic expression influences the topography at the surface. These descriptions of the formations are arranged below in stratigraphic order and include brief summaries of the visual characteristics and interpreted origin of each. Structures such as graben and single faults, and certain distinctive lunar features of questionable origin, are mapped with symbols analogous to those of terrestrial geology. The Geologic mapping has been carried out to the precision obtainable with existing telescopic techniques. As more detailed information is acquired through lunar exploration, greater precision in discrimination, location, and interpretation of geologic units and structures and further refinement of their chronologic sequence is to be expected. Microdensitometer tracings of full moon photographs and unpublished albedo measurements by H. A. Pohn and R. L. Wildey, U. S. Geological Survey, were used to subdivide the mare material. Albedo values for other units are approximate and based on data from Rowan and West (1965).
Digitized 1:1,000,000-scale geologic map of the LAC-42 Mare Serenitatis region of the Moon. Originally mapped on Lunar Base Chart USAF-ACIC imagery. The scanned map sheet was imported into ArcMap and georeferenced to the more current 2013 global WAC mosaic basemap. Contacts and geologic units were digitized and attributed based on type and unit name.
