Data Releases

The Oxia Palus quadrangle contains three distinct geologic provinces: (1) an elevated cratered plateau that occupies three-fourths of the quadrangle and is similar to much of the southern hemisphere of Mars; (2) the low, relatively featureless Chryse Planitia in the northwest corner; and (3) a complex province of chaotic terrain and immense channels or valleys that divides the plateau an

The large crater Petavius, about 180 km in diameter, is the dominant geologic feature within this quadrangle at the southeast border of Mare Fecunditatis on the east limb of the near side. Four categories of materials have been distinguished herein: (1) terrae, with rugged to gently rolling topography and moderate albedo; (2) plains, of low relief and moderate albedo; (3) craters, with...

The Phaethontis quadrangle of Mars is dominated by densely cratered uplands and plateaus which form some of the oldest surfaces on the planet. Extensive low-lying areas within the cratered terrains, including the floors of large craters, are covered to different degrees by plains-forming material. The youngest plains units surround Tharsis Montes to the north. Various erosional processes

The Phoenicis Lacus quadrangle (named Lake of the Phoenix by Schiaparelli, 1877) includes some of the largest geologic features recognized on the terrestrial planets. Arsia and Pavonis Montes, (South Spot and Middle Spot of Marine 9) rise 18 and 17 km, respectively, above the surrounding plateau to an elevation large volcanoes Ascraeus and Olympus Montes, located outside the quadrangle...

The Plato quadrangle in the north-central part of the Moon lies within a series of concentric depressed and raised rings surrounding the Imbrium basin, the center of which lies about 335 km southwest of Montes Teneriffe. The innermost raised ring is marked by isolated ridges and peaks within Mare Imbrium itself, including in the Plato quadrangle Montes Recti and Teneriffe. The band of...

The Pompeii quadrangle is in northern Maja Valles region between Lunae Palum to the west and Xanthe Terra to the east. Approximately two-thirds of the surface is a relatively smooth plain, and the other one-third is subdued, cratered, upland plateau. The crater Pompeii is the largest fresh crater in the quadrangle. The major interest in the map area is evidence of the relatively brief

The application of stratigraphic and structural principles to geologic mapping of the Moon from telescopic photographs has been discussed by Shoemaker (1962) and Shoemaker and Hackman (1962). Major geologic units are recognized by regional topographic and albedo differences. Pictures returned by Ranger, Surveyor, and Lunar Orbiter spacecraft show that a fragmental regolith, presumably...

The Purbach quadrangle is in the south central part of the lunar near side and includes the following four distinct topographic geologic provinces: 1) rugged and densely cratered highlands extending north south through the central part of the area locally dissected by large troughs (sculpture) of Imbrium age (Gilbert, 1893; Hartmann, 1963) 2) subdued terrain in the east where both...

Photographs returned by unmanned Lunar Orbiters have contributed greatly to the current lunar geologic mapping program. This is particularly true for quadrangles near the limbs, such as Rheita in the southeast earthside quadrant. The new data and revised interpretations amend the geologic framework established by earlier workers (Shoemaker (1962) and Shoemaker and Hackman (1962) applied...

The Rima Hyginus region lies within the Mare Vaporum quadrangle (LAC 59), 7 degrees from the center of the lunar earthside hemisphere, near several large impact basins. The Rima Hyginus region occupies a broad structural trough concentric with the Imbrium basin, which has especially controlled the geology of the area, Plains-forming materials cover most of the region, except for a belt...

Material exposed on the surface of the moon is heterogeneous. The albedo and other physical characteristics that have been determined with the use of optical and radio telescopes vary from one part of the moon to another, and the variations are partially correlated with differences in topography . Discontinuities in the areal variation permit the surfaces material to be divided into map...

The Rumker quadrangle, in the northwest quadrant of the Moon, is adjacent to the western rim of the multi-ring Imbrium basin and to Sinus Iridum, a large (220 km diameter) mare-filled crater. Both of these great depressions were probably formed by impact, as indicated here and elsewhere on the Moon by the characteristic form, distribution, and texture of surrounding materials and...