The Apollo basin on the Moon: Assessment of its stratigraphic position, absolute model age, and relationships with the Moon's farside volcanic activity

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Harald Hiesinger
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2017 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 382944008

The major goal of our project is establishing relationships of the Apollo basin (35oS, 150oW) with the volcanic activity on the farside of the Moon and particularly the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin. We will investigate the regional geology, morphology, stratigraphic position, and absolute model ages of the Apollo basin on the Moon. In particular, we will prepare a detailed geologic map of the basin interior and the surrounding terrains in an area between 10-60oS, 125-175oW. The first-order results will be a refinement of the stratigraphic position of the Apollo basin based on the results of the detailed geological mapping. Absolute model ages we derive from crater size-frequency distribution measurements will be used for comparison of the basin age with the ages of other basins within SPA. Finally, these results will allow the determination of the types, extent, stratigraphy, and range of absolute model ages of the volcanic terrains inside and outside the Apollo basin. The following questions are of key importance for the understanding of various aspects of the lunar volcanic history and these can be addressed by detailed photogeological analyses of the Apollo basin and its surroundings. Why does the ancient and large region of the thinner crust inside the SPA basin show only little evidence for volcanic activity in comparison with the Oceanus Procellarum region? What is the age (or range of ages) of volcanism within the SPA basin and, in particular, in association with the Apollo basin? What is the time lag between the formation of the basin and the emplacement of lava plains in its interior and vicinity? What factors controlled the spatial separation of explosive (pyroclastic deposits) and effusive (lava plains) volcanism in the Apollo region?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Russia
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Mikhail A. Ivanov