162-3 Cratered Highlands and Stepped Valleys: Multi-scale Geologic Mapping of the Lunar South Pole for Artemis Mission Planning

Session: Planetary Geologic Mapping Across the Solar System

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

We present results from a multi-scale geologic mapping campaign of the lunar south pole conducted as part of the NASA Lunar Mapping Program (LMAP), aimed at supporting Artemis science and exploration. Two nested mapping scales were used: a regional 1:150,000 scale and a local 1:30,000 scale. These maps are designed to identify safe and scientifically valuable landing zones, enable hypothesis-driven exploration, and evaluate terrain characteristics relevant to mission design. The study area spans the de Gerlache and Shackleton craters, encompassing proposed Artemis landing zones and regions with high potential for sustained multi-mission access and scientific return.

At the 1:150,000 scale, we identified and mapped six major terrains based on morphologic, structural, and textural characteristics: (1) smooth to rugged highlands; (2) rolling to pitted lowlands; (3) de Gerlache crater deposits; (4) Shackleton crater interior and rim units; (5) Brill crater ejecta and rim units; and (6) a set of superposed crater chains and discrete ejecta that crosscut the region. We also mapped surface textures and features—including elephant-hide terrain, sinuous troughs, rocky ejecta, boulder-rich units, catenae, and degraded floors—that inform both surface process histories and hazards relevant to surface operations.

Within this region, at the 1:30,000 scale, we focused on a highland-to-lowland transition zone extending from the de Gerlache rim (elevation 1,512m) across a sequence of terraced ejecta units to a lowland valley (elevation -1,908m). The resulting stair-step topography reflects a combination of target stratigraphy, impact excavation, and ejecta emplacement. This localized map highlights unit contacts, steep scarps, and topographic inflections that may influence robotic or crewed traverses and provides context for hypotheses related to impact modification, regolith thickness, and the retention or mobility of polar volatiles.

Collectively, these maps demonstrate how remote-based geologic mapping can be adapted to support operational priorities, even in data-sparse regions like the lunar south pole. The regional map provides broad context, identifying major geologic units, structural features, and terrain types, which guide the selection of potential exploration zones. The local map then refines this view, offering higher-resolution detail needed for mission-specific planning such as landing site selection, traverse design, and hazard assessment. This tiered approach allows for strategic prioritization of both science and safety, linking big-picture geologic understanding with the fine-scale operational needs of Artemis surface exploration.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10759

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.