An Introduction to the Geology of the Moon

Book excerpt: 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).