Stresses around Lunar Craters

Abstract

THE formation of a lunar crater will be accompanied by stresses set up in the lunar surface in the vicinity of the crater. Critical telescopic observation demonstrates the existence of systems of nearly radial fractures and valleys around certain craters. The departure from radialism is, however, significant and we interpret the fractures as being the surface expression of the relief of stresses in the rocks close to the surface at the time of formation of the craters.