1. Highlands, Maria, Craters, Rilles And The History of the Moon
Features of the Moon
Highlands, Maria, Craters, Rilles
And
The History of the Moon

2. Highlands and Maria There are two main types of terrain on the Moon
Highlands: Mountainous areas of a light color.
Maria: Low, Flat ancient lava plains, dark in color.

3. Craters The Moon’s Surface is dotted with craters.
They are the result of the impacts of meteoroids
The most recent craters have light colored “Rays” of debris that streak out away from the crater
Craters have scattered dust all over the Moon creating a soil-like layer called the Regolith
Unlike craters on Earth where tectonic and erosion forces gradually erase them,
On the moon there are no such forces so they last forever

4. Sometimes the impacts had enough energy to melt the crust
These Craters have central peaks.
Others weren’t

5. Rilles Narrow snake-like canyons
Supposed to have been formed by ancient lava flows

6. The Early Moon
Early in its History the Moon still had a fluid mantle like the Earth
During this period asteroids struck it causing giant lava flows that became the Maria
Rilles also formed during this volcanically active period.

7. The Moon Cools How fast something cools depends on size.
Since the Moon is ¼ the radius of the Earth it cools at least four times quicker

8. The Recent Moon Now the Moon’s Mantle is solid and rigid
There is no more volcanic activity
The Newest features on the Moon are the Craters with Rays
The “far-side” of the Moon is more exposed to meteoroids and thus is completely covered with craters.