Mare Imbrium

Definition

Mare Imbrium is a vast, circular impact basin located in the northwestern part of the near side of the Moon. It is one of the largest and most prominent maria, or lunar seas, visible from Earth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mare Imbrium is approximately 1,146 km (712 miles) in diameter, making it one of the largest impact basins on the Moon.
2. The basin was formed by a massive impact event around 3.9 billion years ago, during the Late Heavy Bombardment period.
3. The lunar maria, including Mare Imbrium, are filled with solidified basaltic lava, which gives them their characteristic dark appearance.
4. The lava that filled Mare Imbrium is estimated to be around 3 to 5 kilometers thick, making it a significant contributor to the Moon's surface features.
5. The central peak of Mare Imbrium, known as the Montes Carpatus, is a prominent mountain range that rises up to 2,000 meters above the surrounding plains.

Review Questions

• Describe the formation and key characteristics of Mare Imbrium.
  • Mare Imbrium is a vast, circular impact basin located on the northwestern near side of the Moon. It was formed by a massive impact event around 3.9 billion years ago, during the Late Heavy Bombardment period. The basin is approximately 1,146 km in diameter, making it one of the largest impact basins on the lunar surface. The basin is filled with solidified basaltic lava, which gives it its characteristic dark appearance and contributes significantly to the Moon's surface features. The central peak of Mare Imbrium, known as the Montes Carpatus, is a prominent mountain range that rises up to 2,000 meters above the surrounding plains.
• Explain the relationship between Mare Imbrium and the lunar maria.
  • Mare Imbrium is one of the largest and most prominent lunar maria, or dark, basaltic plains on the Moon's surface. The lunar maria were formed by ancient volcanic eruptions that filled large impact basins, such as Mare Imbrium, with molten basalt. The basaltic lava that filled Mare Imbrium is estimated to be around 3 to 5 kilometers thick, making it a significant contributor to the Moon's overall surface features and geological history. Understanding the formation and characteristics of Mare Imbrium provides insight into the broader processes that shaped the lunar maria and the Moon's surface over time.
• Analyze the significance of Mare Imbrium in the context of lunar exploration and our understanding of the Moon's geological history.
  • Mare Imbrium is a crucial feature in the study of the Moon's geological history and the processes that have shaped its surface. As one of the largest and most prominent impact basins on the lunar surface, Mare Imbrium provides valuable information about the Late Heavy Bombardment period, when the Moon was subjected to a high rate of asteroid and comet impacts. The basin's formation and subsequent filling with basaltic lava offer insights into the Moon's internal structure, volcanic activity, and the evolution of its crust and mantle. Additionally, the study of Mare Imbrium and other lunar maria has been instrumental in our understanding of impact cratering processes and the role of volcanism in shaping planetary bodies. This knowledge has important implications for the exploration and study of the Moon, as well as other terrestrial planets in our solar system.

Related terms

Lunar Maria: Lunar maria are large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon's surface, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.

Impact Basin: An impact basin is a large, circular depression on a planetary surface, formed by the impact of a massive asteroid or comet.

Basalt: Basalt is a common, dark-colored, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine.