Geologic map of the Macrobius Quadrangle of the Moon

The Macrobius quadrangle is in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. Although predominantly a highland area centered around the Taurus Mountains (Montes Taurus), it is bounded by three major mare-filled basins: Tranquillitatis, the oldest, to the south; Serenitatis to the west; and Crisium on the east. Most of the geologic units within the quadrangle have been profoundly affected by the formation of these basins and by that of the younger Imbrium basin farther to the northwest. Some of the youngest material on the Moon, believed to be of volcanic origin, blankets part of the mare and terra along the southwest margin of the map. Sampling this material will be a primary objective of the Apollo 17 mission, whose proposed landing site is approximately at lat. 20˚ 10’ N., long. 30˚ 45’ E. near the western edge of the map area.