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Photogeology: Part D: Descartes highlands: possible analogs around the Orientale Basin

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Abstract

The Descartes highlands are adjacent to the terra plain on which the Apollo 16 lunar module landed (fig. 29-13). A variety of volcanic origins was proposed for the highlands before the mission (refs. 29-4, 29-21, and 29-35 to 29-37), but the returned samples of the area consist almost exclusively of nonvolcanic breccias. The breccias obtained from Stone Mountain have not been identified conclusively as sample materials of the Descartes Mountains (ref. 29-35). A volcanic origin is thus not yet precluded (sec. 6 of this report), but a review of possible impact-related origins seems to be appropriate. The orbital photography acquired during the Apollo 16 mission provides excellent imagery on which geomorphic interpretations may be based. No obvious local crater is a plausible source of the material, but there may be a relation to either the Nectaris or Imbrium Basin. The less degraded Orientale Basin (fig. 29-24) provides a model by which these comparisons can be made (part F of this section).

Suggested Citation

Hodges, C.A., 1972, Photogeology: Part D: Descartes highlands: possible analogs around the Orientale Basin, chap. of Apollo 16 preliminary science report (NASA SP 315), p. 29-20-29-23.

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Photogeology: Part D: Descartes highlands: possible analogs around the Orientale Basin
Series number 315
Year Published 1972
Language English
Publisher National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Astrogeology Science Center
Description 4 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype Federal Government Series
Larger Work Title Apollo 16 preliminary science report (NASA SP 315)
First page 29-20
Last page 29-23
Other Geospatial Moon
Additional publication details