Produced by: Manoj Kumar
The Moon's far side reveals stark differences from its near side, with unique crustal features, sparse volcanism, and chemical contrasts that redefine our understanding of its geological evolution.
Samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the South Pole-Aitken Basin offer rare insights into the Moon’s far side, expanding our knowledge of its volcanic and crustal characteristics.
Analysis of Chang’e-6 samples reveals two distinct basalt types, showing that volcanic activity on the far side was influenced by mantle composition and unique geological conditions.
Precise Pb-Pb and Rb-Sr dating methods pinpoint the age of far-side basalts at 2.83 billion years, confirming the presence of young magmatism in regions previously considered geologically dormant.
Researchers found that a depleted mantle beneath the South Pole-Aitken Basin limited volcanic activity, suggesting mantle composition is key to understanding the Moon’s asymmetrical volcanism.
Despite having a thin crust, the far side’s volcanic features remain underdeveloped compared to the near side, challenging long-held theories about crustal thickness driving volcanic activity.
New dating calibrations from Chang’e-6 provide critical data for lunar crater chronology, refining how scientists estimate the ages of craters on the Moon and other celestial bodies.
The study links lunar impact flux patterns to early solar system migrations, offering hints about planetary dynamics during the formative years of our solar neighborhood.
Published in Science by Yi-Gang Xu and colleagues, this study exemplifies international teamwork and advanced research supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and GIGCAS.