Apennine region
Huxley domes (termed Hexley 1-3)
By Mike Wirths
by Carmelo Zannelli
Dome
|
Longitude
|
Latitude
|
Diameter [km]
|
Heigth [m]
|
Slope[°]
|
Huxley 1
Huxley 2
Huxley 3
|
-3.68°
-4.42°
-3.68°
|
21.26°
20.28°
21.26°
|
14 ± 0.5
7.5x9.6±
0.5
31.5x23 ±
1
|
200 ± 20
50 ± 5
85 ± 10
|
1.64 ± 0.2
0.64 ± 0.06
0.37± 0.04
|
The oldest
lavas in this region are probably those of the lighter albedo plains units
inside the main Imbrium ring, called the Apennine Bench Formation. The dome
Huxley 1 (Hux1) has a diameter of 14 km. The height amounts to 200 ± 20 m
resulting in flank slopes of 1.64° ± 0.2°. Based on rheologic modelling Hux1 formed
from lava of viscosities of 1.8 x 106 over a period of time of 4.1
years. It is a C2 dome in the classification scheme of effusive
lunar domes.
The heights
of the domes Hux2 and Hux3 were determined to 50 ± 5 m and 85 ± 10 m, resulting
in flank slopes of 0.64° and 0.37°, respectively. Hux 2, of elongated shape
(circularity < 0.8), has two small prominences, likely floor ridges which
were embayed by the dome, as indicated by their alignment with ridges to the
north. Moreover, its surface is inclined from the northwest toward the
southeast direction. The dome Hux3, of elongated shape, is associated with some
short linear and curvilinear rilles and has a sinuous rille on its surface, the
latter clearly indicating an effusion of lava. Under the assumption of an
intrusive origin, and according with the results of the laccolith modelling,
the candidate intrusive dome Hux3 belongs to class In1, while Hux2
is a typical representative of class In2.