Calibrating a 4.3-billion-year-old lunar chronometer, China unveils a high-definition geological archive of the Moon, setting a new global standard for scientific research
Recently, China announced the completion of a comprehensive 1:5 million-scale lunar geologic map. The main map measures nearly 280 centimeters in length and 120 centimeters in height, accompanied by detailed enlarged maps of the Moon's north and south poles. It clearly marks over 13,000 impact craters and 81 major impact basins, distinguishes 14 types of geological structures and 17 rock types, fully capturing the Moon’s surface geological record.
For decades, the global scientific community has relied on lunar geological data primarily derived from the Apollo missions conducted decades ago. As deep-space exploration advances, the limitations of these outdated maps have become increasingly evident. This time, China’s research team has updated the data systemically using complete datasets collected through the Chang’e lunar exploration program, achieving three groundbreaking advancements.
The first breakthrough is recalibrating the “lunar timeline,” effectively repairing the Moon’s unique timepiece. The team refined the dating of various lunar geological epochs, redefining the starting ages of the Aitonian, Imbrian, and Nectarian periods, and for the first time globally achieved fine-scale division of late lunar strata. For the first time, scientists can pinpoint with greater precision when meteorite impacts and volcanic eruptions occurred over billions of years.
The second advancement involves updating the lunar material inventory, revealing secrets beneath the Moon’s surface. Leveraging data from the Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-6 missions probing the lunar far side, the research team identified gabbro-anorthosite in the South Pole–Aitken Basin. This rock type originates from deep within the Moon, providing humanity with direct, tangible evidence of what lies beneath the lunar crust. Concurrently, the mineral distribution map has been upgraded, making the lunar resource distribution far clearer and more precise.
The third innovation is the development of a flexible labeling standard. Given the map’s extensive coverage, the team established differentiated labeling scales that preserve overall visual clarity while ensuring no small but scientifically significant geological features are overlooked—balancing macroscopic perspective with microscopic accuracy.
The significance of this geologic map extends far beyond a mere educational illustration. Future human lunar landing site selection, layout planning for lunar research stations, and rover landing point design will all rely on this geological foundation. Scientists can now identify areas with stable geology, lower impact risks, and potential resource concentrations—each decision grounded in solid evidence.
In the long term, this map also serves fundamental scientific research. With a complete geological record, scientists can trace back to the early era of massive solar system impacts, helping unravel mysteries surrounding planetary formation and evolution. In the past, humanity depended on foreign mission data to study the Moon; today, armed with continuous, firsthand data from our own lunar exploration program, we present a brand-new, comprehensive lunar geological archive—a concentrated culmination of achievements from the Chang’e series, and a new benchmark for global deep-space exploration.
The 4-plus-billion-year evolutionary history of the vast Moon is gradually being revealed in clear detail.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872759483475980/
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