E-Book Overview
Multi-ring basins are large impact craters formed in the early history of planets. They critically affect the evolution of the planets and their satellites. The Moon offers an exceptional chance to study these phenomena and this book provides a comprehensive geological study using data from lunar landings and remote sensing of the Moon. The author covers the formation and development of basins and considers their chemistry and mineralogy. He studies their effects on the volcanic, tectonic and geological evolution of the planet, including the catastrophic consequence on the planetary climate and evolution of life. This study is lavishly illustrated with many spectacular, highly-detailed photographs and diagrams.
E-Book Content
Multi-ring basins are large impact craters formed in the early history of planets. They critically affect the evolution of the planets and satellites. The Moon offers an exceptional chance to study these phenomena and this book provides a comprehensive geological study using data from lunar landings and remote sensing of the Moon. The author covers the formation and development of basins and considers their chemistry and mineralogy. He studies their effect on the volcanic, tectonic and geological evolution of the planet, including the catastrophic consequence on the planetary climate and evolution of life. The terrestrial planets are also examined. This study is lavishly illustrated with many spectacular, highly detailed photographs and diagrams.
Cambridge Planetary Science Series
The Geology of Multi-Ring Impact Basins
Cambridge Planetary Science Series EDITORS : W. I. Axford, G. E. Hunt, and R. Greeley 1. Interior of the Planets A. H. Cook 2. Introduction to Planetary Geology Billy P. Glass 3. Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere A. J. Dessler (ed.) 4. Wind as a Geological Process: Earth, Mars, Venus and Titan Ronald Greeley and James D. Iversen 5. Remote Sounding of Atmospheres John T. Houghton, W. Frederick, and C. D. Rodgers 6. Planetary Mapping Ronald Greeley and Raymond M. Batson (eds.) 7. Exploration of the Solar System by Infrared Remote Sensing R. A. Hanel, B. J. Conrath, D. E. Jennings, and R. E. Samuelson 8. The Geology of Multi-Ring Impact Basins Paul D. Spudis
The Geology of Multi-Ring Impact Basins The Moon and Other Planets
PAUL D. SPUDIS Lunar and Planetary Institute Houston, Texas
mm
CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY PRESS
PUBLISHED BY THE PRESS SYNDICATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK 40 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011-4211, USA 477 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia Ruiz de Alarcon 13, 28014 Madrid, Spain Dock House, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa http://www.cambridge.org © Cambridge University Press 1993 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1993 First paperback edition 2005 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress cataloguing in publication data Spudis, Paul D. The geology of multi-ring impact basins: the Moon and other planets / Paul D. Spudis. p. cm. — (Cambridge planetary science series; 8) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0 521 26103 1 hardback 1. Multiring basins (Astrogeology) 2. Lunar basins. I. Title. II. Series. QB456.S64 1993 551.3'97'09991-dc20 93-3236 CIP ISBN 0 521 26103 1 hardback ISBN 0 521 61923 8 paperback
Contents
Preface
page
xi
1 The multi-ring basin problem 1.1 Multi-ring basins and their significance 1.2 Overview of the l