Wrinkle Ridges with Boulders Tell A Story of Recent Activity

Wrinkle ridges are complex features formed when contractional forces break and fold mare (basalts) volcanic rocks. A remarkable new aspect of mare wrinkle ridges is the discovery of boulder fields on the slopes of many the ridges. From the fresh angular shape of the boulders and few superposed impact craters, we know this process occurred recently (in a geologic sense). The most likely cause for the boulders is recent activity on the underlying fault accompanied by moonquakes. The big question is exactly how recent is the activity and moonquakes?

• Latitude: 2.178°
• Longitude: 311.446°
• Camera: NAC
• Image Width: 1.85 km
• Image(s): M135507772R
• Download Image