Peak-ring structure and kinematics from a multi-disciplinary study of the Schrödinger impact basin

David A. Kring (), Georgiana Y. Kramer, Gareth S. Collins, Ross W. K. Potter and Mitali Chandnani
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David A. Kring: Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association
Georgiana Y. Kramer: Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association
Gareth S. Collins: Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Imperial College London
Ross W. K. Potter: Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association
Mitali Chandnani: Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The Schrödinger basin on the lunar farside is ∼320 km in diameter and the best-preserved peak-ring basin of its size in the Earth–Moon system. Here we present spectral and photogeologic analyses of data from the Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument on the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) on the LRO spacecraft, which indicates the peak ring is composed of anorthositic, noritic and troctolitic lithologies that were juxtaposed by several cross-cutting faults during peak-ring formation. Hydrocode simulations indicate the lithologies were uplifted from depths up to 30 km, representing the crust of the lunar farside. Through combining geological and remote-sensing observations with numerical modelling, we show that a Displaced Structural Uplift model is best for peak rings, including that in the K–T Chicxulub impact crater on Earth. These results may help guide sample selection in lunar sample return missions that are being studied for the multi-agency International Space Exploration Coordination Group.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13161

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