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2 massive canyons on the moon, both deeper than the Grand Canyon, were formed in less than 10 minutes by surges of high-speed rock debris, according to the reports. These valleys, named Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck, stretch for about 270 kilometers and 280 kilometers respectively, with depths reaching up to 3.5 kilometers.
In contrast to this, the Grand Canyon has a maximum depth of approximately 1.9 kilometers. The canyons are situated near the Schrödinger impact basin in the moon's southern polar region, i.e an area characterized by towering mountains and deep craters.
Impact that Shaped the Lunar Landscape
A study published in Nature Communications indicates that these canyons are also a part of several valleys that formed from debris ejected during the impact that created the Schrödinger basin, a 320-kms-wide crater formed about 3.81 billion years ago. This basin sits on the outer edge of the South Pole–Aitken basin, the moon’s largest and the oldest remaining impact structure, which dates back over 4.2 billion years.
Unprecedented Energy Levels Behind the Canyons
One of the study reveals that rocky debris from the impact traveled at speeds between 3,420 and 4,600 kilometers per hour. For example, a bullet from a 9mm handgun travels at around 2,200 kms per hour. The energy required to carve these canyons is calculated to be more than 130 times greater than the overall energy stored in the world’s current nuclear arsenal.
Key Insights for Future Lunar Exploration
Speaking with Space.com, David Kring, a geologist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute has pointed out that, unlike the Grand Canyon, which was shaped by water over millions of years, these lunar canyons were formed within a matter of minutes by rock flows. The distribution of impact debris have also indicated that astronauts landing near the South Pole–Aitken basin may have easier access to some of the moon's oldest geological samples. These findings are very significant for ongoing research into potential landing sites for future lunar missions.