中国科学院地球化学研究所机构知识库

The tectonic evolution of the Moon is driven by both endogenic (e.g., magmatism) and exogenic (e.g., meteorite impact) forces. A tectonic map of the Moon provides key information about the spatiotemporal distribution of structures and tectonic units. Although the Moon has no plate tectonics, its surface can be divided into different terranes due to the uneven evolution [1]. We define these terranes as tectonic units. Structures, such as craters and faults, are the basic elements of the tectonic units. As a synthesis of current knowledge on lunar tectonics and evolutionary history, lunar tectonic maps are a fundamental resource for scientific research, exploration planning, and landing site selection [2]. From the 1960s to late 1970s, the classification schemes of lunar structure, published in 79 regional geologic maps of the Moon at different scales by the United States Geological Survey [3], were not consistent [4]. One or more sets of data from ground-based telescopes, lunar exploration satellites and field surveys of the Apollo program were used to complete these maps. Their classifications of lunar structures were mainly based on topographic and geomorphic features. Additionally, different mapping personnel have different understandings of the structures in their mapping areas at different scales. It often results in the situation of the same structure with different names or the same name with different meanings, which leads to confusion and misunderstanding [5]. In 2020, six 1:5,000,000-scale quadrangular maps were stitched together and released a globally consistent geologic map [6]. This map focuses on the crater materials and basalt, and only a few types of structures were represented (e.g., wrinkle ridge, rille, graben and lineament of ambiguous origins). It lacks a demonstration of the structure’s origin and does not express mascons or deep faults from the gravity field [7]. Additionally, it does not express lobate scarps, which are thought to be the young thrust faults and could provide the recent stress state of the Moon [8]. To date, there has been no recognized and comprehensive classification system of the global lunar structure. A global tectonic map of the Moon was not released until we initiated the 1:2,500,000-scale lunar global tectonic map.