Moon’s highlands

Definition

The Moon's highlands are elevated, heavily cratered regions primarily composed of anorthosite rock. They are older and lighter in color compared to the lunar maria, reflecting more sunlight.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The highlands cover about 83% of the Moon's surface.
2. They were formed over 4 billion years ago during the early history of the Solar System.
3. Highland rocks are predominantly made up of anorthosite, a type of igneous rock rich in calcium and aluminum silicates.
4. The highlands have a higher albedo than the lunar maria due to their reflective surfaces.
5. Many of the craters in the highlands were created by intense bombardment from meteoroids and comets.

Review Questions

• What percentage of the Moon's surface is covered by highlands?
• Which type of rock predominantly makes up the Moon's highlands?
• Why do the lunar highlands appear brighter than the lunar maria?

Related terms

Anorthosite: A type of igneous rock found predominantly in the lunar highlands, composed mainly of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar.

Lunar Maria: Dark, basaltic plains on the Moon's surface formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.

Crater Saturation: A condition where so many impact craters exist that new impacts destroy or modify older ones rather than creating new craters.