May 11, 2020
An Apron
Originally published November 28, 2010
LRO WAC image M116419373ME processed by Richard Evans
Marth is an odd crater, even for a concentric crater. Its inner rim seems taller than average and it fills Marth's entire floor,
counting the small ridge in the 7 o'clock position. Rick's processing of an LRO Wide Angle Camera image reveals something that is visible in early images, but that I hadn't noticed before. An apron of mare lava surrounds Marth, being most
extensive to the east, and not at all visible to the west. The apron is a slight rise - as indicated by the narrow inflection
caused by a thin partial shadow cast by the edge of the elevated mare. A small round patch of elevated mare material is
often a volcanic dome, but it is not clear if that is the case here; however, the fact that it surrounds Marth suggests the
two are related. Often times a dome-like swelling surrounds pre-existing hills, and that may be the explanation. It appears
that the Marth apron interrupts the rille near it, Ramsden II, which would mean that the apron is younger material. But
Ramsden II is also interrupted just to the southwest of Marth, where no observable younger material is apparent. So, Marth
sits on an apron of marginally elevated mare - but I don't think this implies that the concentric crater Marth is volcanic.
Chuck Wood
Related Links
Rükl plate 63
Yesterday's LPOD: Audouin Dollfus
Tomorrow's LPOD: A New Collection
COMMENTS?
Register, Log in, and join in the comments.
