Compare and contrast the Moon’s maria and highlands
http://www.pas.rochester.edu/~blackman/ast104/moon_surface.html
To compare and contrast the Moon's maria and highlands, we need to understand what they are and how to differentiate them. The Moon's maria and highlands refer to two distinct features on the lunar surface.
1. Maria: The maria are large, dark, and smooth plains on the Moon. They are primarily located on the near side of the Moon, facing the Earth. The term "maria" is Latin for "seas" because early astronomers mistakenly believed these regions to be bodies of water. However, maria are actually solidified lava flows from ancient volcanic activity.
2. Highlands: The highlands, also known as the lunar highlands, are the bright, rugged, and mountainous regions on the Moon's surface. They are mainly found on the far side of the Moon, away from the Earth. The highlands are filled with craters formed by impacts from asteroids and meteoroids over billions of years.
Now, let's compare and contrast the Moon's maria and highlands:
1. Composition: The maria are made up of basalt, a type of volcanic rock rich in iron and magnesium. On the other hand, the highlands consist mostly of anorthosite, a type of rock composed mainly of a mineral called plagioclase feldspar.
2. Appearance: The maria appear dark in contrast to the brighter highlands. They have a relatively smoother surface as they were formed from multiple volcanic eruptions and subsequent lava flows. In contrast, the highlands display a rougher and more cratered landscape due to the accumulated impacts of meteoroids over time.
3. Age: The maria are relatively younger compared to the highlands. They formed around 3 to 4 billion years ago during the Moon's volcanic activity. In contrast, the highlands are much older, dating back to the Moon's early formation about 4.5 billion years ago.
4. Location: The maria are predominantly found on the near side of the Moon, covering approximately 16% of its surface. Conversely, the highlands are mostly situated on the far side, constituting the remaining 84% of the lunar surface.
To compare and contrast the Moon's maria and highlands, you would need details about their composition, appearance, age, and location. By examining these factors, you can observe the differences and similarities between these two distinct lunar features.