Ancient Asteroid Impact Carved Massive Lunar Canyons in Minutes

Approximately 3.8 billion years ago, a colossal asteroid or comet struck the Moon’s far side, creating two vast canyons near its south pole. New research reveals that these canyons, comparable in size to Earth’s Grand Canyon, were formed in under 10 minutes by debris traveling at speeds up to 2,200 miles per hour. This event offers insights into the Moon’s geological history and has implications for future lunar exploration.

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have unveiled that a monumental asteroid or comet impact on the Moon’s far side approximately 3.8 billion years ago led to the rapid formation of two immense canyons near the lunar south pole. These structures, named Vallis Planck and Vallis Schrödinger, rival Earth’s Grand Canyon in scale and were carved out in less than 10 minutes by high-velocity debris ejected during the impact.

Key Findings:

• Impact Magnitude: The celestial object, estimated to be about 15 miles (25 kilometers) in diameter, struck the Moon with a force releasing approximately 130 times the energy of the current global inventory of nuclear weapons.
• Canyon Dimensions: Vallis Planck stretches approximately 174 miles (280 kilometers) in length and reaches depths of about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers). Vallis Schrödinger is slightly shorter, measuring around 168 miles (270 kilometers) long and about 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) deep.
• Formation Process: Upon impact, a vast volume of lunar rock was propelled into space, forming a curtain of debris. As this debris rained back onto the Moon’s surface at speeds up to 2,200 miles (3,600 kilometers) per hour, concentrated clusters of rock impacted the terrain, effectively carving out the canyons in a matter of minutes.

Geological Significance:

This event occurred during a period known as the Late Heavy Bombardment, a time characterized by frequent and massive impacts in the inner solar system. The Moon’s relatively static geological state, lacking plate tectonics, has preserved these ancient scars, offering a window into the early solar system’s violent history. In contrast, Earth’s active plate tectonics have long since erased similar impact evidence from that era.

Implications for Future Exploration:

The Schrödinger impact basin, from which these canyons radiate, is situated near the proposed exploration zone for NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions. Understanding the formation and composition of these canyons can provide valuable insights into the Moon’s geological past and guide future exploration efforts. Notably, the distribution of debris from this ancient impact suggests that ancient rocks in the lunar polar regions may be more accessible, presenting opportunities for astronauts to collect samples that could shed light on the Moon’s early history.

This research not only enhances our comprehension of lunar geology but also underscores the dynamic and sometimes violent processes that have shaped planetary bodies in our solar system.