Fractured and slumping rim of Klute W. Image field of view is 900 meters, LROC Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) observation M143201144RE, LRO orbit 6237, October 31, 2010. View the full-sized LROC Featured Image (1400 x 1400) HERE [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
James AshleyLROC News System
The relatively fresh farside highlands impact crater Klute W (38.2°N, 143.0°W) offers lessons on the behavior of landslides in lunar gravity. The upper portion of the opening image highlights the southeast interior wall of Klute W, and slopes downward toward the NNW (crater interior). The lower, heavily cratered portion of this image is outside the crater wall along the rim. The crater rim is degrading due to 'slope retreat' as portions of the surrounding rim fracture, break free, and slump down the wall. Some of this fracturing and slumping may be influenced by nearby small impacts. Due to this slumping, small craters on the rim were torn apart. Each time the rim fails and slumps downward, the crater diameter increases slightly, showing one way that craters are modified after their initial, violent formation.
Close-up of LROC Wide Angle Camera monochrome mosaic of Klute W and its surroundings. View the full-sized WAC context mosaic HERE [NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University].
A few small craters are superposed on top of the slumped material, but not as many as on the surrounding surface. One could logically infer that the slumped material is significantly younger than the rim. However, the slumped material is likely less compacted, and prone to downward movement, as small craters are formed - thus small craters have only a short lifetime on the steep walls.
Explore the full-resolution NAC Image!
Some related posts:
Dark streaks in Diophantus crater
Rock avalanche in Robinson crater
Kepler's rim
Landslides in Marius crater
Fresh rim of Slipher S
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