Scientists have discovered that two massive canyons on the moon’s surface formed in less than 10 minutes after a giant impact 3.8 billion years ago. The canyons, Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck, are up to 2.7 and 3.5 kilometers deep and stretch for over 270 and 280 kilometers respectively.
According to planetary geologist David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, the impact sent a curtain of rock flying into the lunar surface, creating the canyons in a staccato fashion. The team’s analysis of spacecraft images suggests that the impacting object came in at an angle, splashing material northward and avoiding the area where NASA’s Artemis astronauts are expected to land.
This discovery could provide scientists with a unique opportunity to study the moon’s history and better understand the early days of the Earth-moon system. The south pole region, which includes the canyons, also contains some of the oldest rocks on the moon, potentially dating back 4 billion years.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/moon-grand-canyons-lunar-rocks