The moon

, Volume 1, Issue 2, pp 237–252 | Cite as

Terrestrial analogs to lunar dimple (drainage) craters

  • Ronald Greeley
Article
Received:

Abstract

In addition to modes of formation offered by previous investigators, terrestrial drainage craters formed over lava tubes in Oregon are presented as analogs to lunar drainage craters. Craters associated with lava tubes result from: (1) drainage of surface material through roof fractures; (2) plastic collapse of the partially cooled lava tube roof; and (3) drainage of surface material into roof collapses. The former two categories result in shallow, often elongate craters; the latter category forms classic ‘dimple’ shaped craters. Elongate dimple craters formed over volcanic fissures in southern Idaho are also discussed and presented in support of one mode of formation proposed by previous investigators for lunar drainage craters.

Movement of surface material toward the orifice is initiated on Earth largely by wind and water; in lunar conditions, initial movement is attributed to micro- and macro-meteoritic bombardment, seismic disturbances generated by internal and external processes, and by thermal creep.

Keywords

Surface Material Previous Investigator Initial Movement External Process Plastic Collapse 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© D. Reidel Publishing Company 1970

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ronald Greeley
    • 1
  1. 1.Space Sciences DivisionAmes Research Center, NASAMoffett FieldUSA

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