Cross-hatching at Silver Spur.

Abstract

Diamond-shaped patterns formed by the intersection of two sets of lineaments were reported near the promontory Silver Spur on Hadley Delta, about 20 km south of the Apollo 15 landing site. O'Keefe et al. (1969) hypothesized concerning a possible interrelation between lunar lineaments, gas flow induced by meteorites and turbulent-flow cross-hatching. Possible causes for the occurrence of the lunar lineaments are discussed. It is pointed out that the evidence does not make it possible to select conclusively either geological structure or lighting effects as the sole cause of the lineaments. Gas flows due to meteorite impact vaporization may also be responsible for the observed patterns.