The 3-D geological model around Chang'E-3 landing site based on lunar penetrating radar Channel 1 data

Yuefeng Yuan, Peimin Zhu, Na Zhao, Long Xiao, Edward Garnero, Zhiyong Xiao, Jiannan Zhao, Le Qiao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

High-frequency lunar penetrating radar (LPR) data from an instrument on the lunar rover Yutu, from the Chang'E-3 (CE-3) robotic lander, were used to build a three-dimensional (3-D) geological model of the lunar subsurface structure. The CE-3 landing site is in the northern Mare Imbrium. More than five significant reflection horizons are evident in the LPR profile, which we interpret as different period lava flow sequences deposited on the lunar surface. The most probable directions of these flows were inferred from layer depths, thicknesses, and other geological information. Moreover, the apparent Imbrian paleoregolith homogeneity in the profile supports the suggestion of a quiescent period of lunar surface evolution. Similar subsurface structures are found at the NASA Apollo landing sites, indicating that the cause and time of formation of the imaged phenomena may be similar between the two distant regions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6553-6561
Number of pages9
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume44
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 16 2017

Keywords

  • 3D geological model
  • Chang'E-3
  • lunar penetrating radar
  • lunar surface structure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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