Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter reveals incredible shrinking Moon
Based on the size of the newly discovered cliffs, scientists
estimate the distance between the Moon's center and its surface
has shrunk by about 300 feet. August 20, 2010 Provided by
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland August 20, 2010
The mare basalts that fill the Taurus-Littrow valley were thrust
up by contractional forces to form the Lee-Lincoln fault scarp,
just west of the Apollo 17 landing site (arrow). It is the only
extraterrestrial fault scarp to be explored by humans. The
digital terrain model derived from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Camera (LROC) stereo images shows the fault extending upslope
into North Massif where highlands material are also thrust up.
The fault cuts upslope and abruptly changes orientation and cuts
along slope, forming a narrow bench. LROC images show boulders
shed from North Massif that have rolled downhill and collected
on the bench. Photo by NASA/Goddard/Arizona State
Univ/Smithsonian Newly discover