A recent study has unveiled the dramatic formation of two colossal canyons on the Moon, Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck, which were created in less than 10 minutes by a massive impact event that occurred approximately 3.8 billion years ago. This extraordinary geological phenomenon took place near the Moon’s south pole, where a significant impact sent a curtain of rock flying and unleashed a hailstorm of boulders across the lunar surface.
The Grand Canyon on Earth, famous for its breathtaking expanse, winds through the landscape for a sinuous 446 kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 1.9 kilometers. In contrast, Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck stretch across the Moon at lengths of 270 and 280 kilometers respectively, with depths of up to 3.5 kilometers. The comparison highlights the grandeur of these lunar canyons, which, if located on Earth, would likely be designated as national or international parks due to their sheer scale and beauty.
The impact that formed these canyons was incredibly powerful, generating energies that were 130 times greater than the global inventory of nuclear weapons. David Kring, a prominent researcher in planetary geology, described the landing of the debris as occurring in a "staccato fashion," illustrating the chaotic nature of the event.
"They landed in a staccato fashion, bang-bang-bang-bang-bang," – David Kring
The geological activity was centered around the 320-kilometer-wide Schrödinger basin, located just 125 kilometers from where NASA’s Artemis astronauts are expected to land. The region not only showcases the dramatic lunar landscape but also contains some of the oldest rocks on the Moon, possibly dating back to its formation around 4 billion years ago.
Kring further emphasized the significance of the Schrödinger material in relation to the ancient terrain, stating that such an impact would have minimal burial effect on this old surface.
"That means that very little of the Schrödinger material is going to be burying this very old terrain," – David Kring
The canyons' creation illustrates not only the Moon's violent past but also offers new insights into its geological history. The south polar region's dramatic topography serves as a reminder of the Moon's tumultuous formative years.
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