Geologists uncover bizarre lunar volcanoes on far side of the moon

Chinese researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of unusual volcanic formations on the far side of the Moon, which could reshape our understanding of lunar volcanic activity. This discovery comes as China prepares for its upcoming Chang’e-6 mission, which is set to land in the region.

Scheduled for launch on May 3, the Chang’e-6 mission will explore the Apollo basin located within the South Pole-Aitken basin—the largest known impact crater in the solar system.

A study led by Dr. Yuqi Qian from the University of Hong Kong, published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, explores this area in detail. The research indicates that volcanic activity on the Moon’s Apollo basin spanned from the Nectarian to the Eratosthenian period, dating from approximately 4.05 to 1.79 billion years ago.

The team found that this volcanic activity was closely linked to the thickness of the lunar crust in the basin. Where the crust was thin, magma could rise and breach the surface, resulting in lava flows. Conversely, in areas where the crust was thicker, the magma became trapped, forming basaltic dike intrusions instead of surfacing.

This variation in crustal thickness between the Moon’s near side and far side likely led to the uneven distribution of volcanic activity. The researchers also identified at least two separate volcanic eruptions in the southern maria plains of the Apollo basin, each with distinct chemical compositions, suggesting a complex volcanic history.

The significance of these findings is underscored by the forthcoming samples to be collected by the Chang’e-6 mission. Analyzing these samples will be crucial for further understanding the diverse volcanic history of the Moon and the reasons behind the lunar asymmetry.