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Topographic Correlations within Lunar Swirls in Mare Ingenii
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  • Deborah Domingue,
  • John R. Weirich,
  • Frank C. Chuang,
  • Amanda Sickafoose,
  • Eric Edward Palmer
Deborah Domingue
Planetary Science Institute

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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John R. Weirich
Planetary Science Institute
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Frank C. Chuang
Planetary Science Institute
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Amanda Sickafoose
Planetary Science Institute
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Eric Edward Palmer
Planetary Science Institute
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Abstract

The Moon's bright albedo markings, known as swirls, are defined by broad, bright, on-swirl areas separated by darker off-swirl lanes. Their formation mechanism has long been debated and is key for understanding the processing of the lunar surface, the mobility of the lunar soil particles, and the effects of the space environment on planetary surfaces. Here we present, for the first time, evidence that these features do not necessarily cross the surface without regard to topography or local terrain. Within portions of Mare Ingenii on the lunar far-side, brighter on-swirl areas have statistically lower mean elevations than adjacent, darker, off-swirl lanes. These topographic characteristics provide constraints on the plausible formation mechanisms for the swirls in Mare Ingenii, which in turn provide insight into lunar soil migration and evolution. We believe this correlation with topography argues for highly mobile dust transport across the lunar surface.
28 Mar 2022Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 49 issue 6. 10.1029/2021GL095285