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Geology topics

David Cummings

Publications and source records attributed to David Cummings.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Geologic map of the Clavius Quadrangle of the Moon

The Clavius quadrangle is in the southern lunar highlands about 500 km south of the Mare Nubium and 150 km south of the large young crater Tycho. This part of the M oon is characterized by densely cratered topography and the absence of mare materials. Geologic units in the quadrangle cannot be directly correlated with those in the vicinity of Mare Imbrium , 2500 km to the north, which define most of the lunar time-stratigraphic systems (Shoemaker and Hackman, 1962 ; Wilhelms , 1970). However, the relative ages of rock units, including crater materials, have been determined by established geologic methods, such as superposition and cross-cutting relations. In addition, crater materials have been positioned within the lunar time stratigraphic framework ( Offield , 1971) by estimates. Based on morphology, of their state of erosion ( Pohn and Offi e ld , 1970).

IMAP

Geologic map of the Wichmann CA region of the Moon, Lunar Orbiter Site III P-11, Oceanus Procellarum including Apollo landing sites 4 and 4R

This map shows the geology in and around two potential early Apollo landing sites in the equatorial belt. The Wichmann CA region is in the Oceanus Procellarum, south of the equator, approximately 320 km south of the crater Kepler. It is covered by mare material with numerous ridges, low domes, craters, and crater clusters. Relatively few of the craters are larger than 200 m across. Terra material is absent. The relative freshness of the low domes and prominent mare ridges suggest that the mare material here is relatively young. On an earlier, small-scale reconnaissance geologic map of the Letronne region (Marshall, 1963), mare material in the Wichmann CA region was mapped as Imbrian; but Orbiter photographs show that the oldest craters on the surface are relatively young Eratosthenian craters and mare material is now believed to be Eratosthenian.

IMAP

Geologic map of Lunar Orbiter site III P-11, Oceanus Procellarum south of equator

This map shows the geology of Lunar Orbiter site III P-11 within which lies landing ellipse West Two, a potential early Apollo landing site in the lunar equatorial belt. The area is in Oceanus Procellarum, south of the equator, approximately 320 km south of the crater Kepler. It is covered by mare material and the evenness of the mare surface is broken only by mare ridges and some low domes. Relatively few of the superposed impact craters are larger than 200 m across. Terra material is absent.

Open-File Report