The Grand Canyon on Earth versus the ones on the Moon are a study in contrasts. The terrestrial version was slowly carved over millions of years by wind and water. The lunar equivalents appear to have been ripped open within minutes, by the geological version of two massive fingernails, according to a study in Nature Communications.
Although the Moon’s canyons are well hidden on the dark side of the satellite, they are as impressive as the one in Arizona. They measure about 16 miles wide, over 1.5 miles deep and 167 miles to 530 miles long.
The analysis of this region paves the way for astronauts to take a closer look when the Artemis mission will send astronauts close to the lunar south pole. The canyons will be targeted for geological collection, because rocks at their bottoms will represent ancient material in comparison to the surface.
