NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of two massive lunar canyons, Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck, comparable in length to the Grand Canyon but significantly deeper. Formed rapidly within approximately ten minutes by a meteor impact around 3.81 billion years ago, these canyons showcase unique geological processes. Lead researcher Dr. David Kring explained that the variations in the Moon's crust led to concentrated streams of rock, resulting in deep channels resembling ejecta rays, similar to those found around familiar craters on the Moon’s surface.
Lead author Dr. David Kring notes that concentrated streams of rock generated variations in the Moon's crust, leading to the formation of deep channels.
The Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck canyons, observed by NASA, measure as long as the Grand Canyon but are over three times deeper at their lowest points.
Researchers believe these canyons were created rapidly, in just ten minutes, during a violent impact event on the Moon 3.81 billion years ago.
The Schrödinger impact basin led to ejected debris falling in lines, which formed overlapping craters creating the lunar canyons we observe today.
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