Ejecta from large craters on the Moon: Comments on the geometric model of McGetchin et al.

Amendments to a quantitative scheme developed by T.R. McGetchin et al. (1973) for predicting the distribution of ejecta from lunar basins yield substantially thicker estimates of ejecta, deposited at the basin rim-crest and at varying ranges byond, than does the original model. Estimates of the total volume of material ejected from a basin, illustrated by Imbrium, also are much greater. Because many uncertainties affect any geometric model developed primarily from terrestrial analogs of lunar craters, predictions of ejecta thickness and volume on the Moon may range within at least an order of magnitude. These problems are exemplified by the variability ofT, thickness of ejecta at the rim-crest of terrestrial experimental craters. The proportion ofT to crater rim-height depends critically upon scaled depth-of-burst and whether the explosive is nuclear or chemical.