Lunar Feature in 3D : "Rima Birt" or "Birt - Vent"[3D Model / False Colour]

Lroc Narrow Angle Camera

 

 

Lava sputtered out of this pyroclastic vent in Mare Nubium over 3.4 billion years ago, dispersing lava onto the surface and leaving the crater we see today.

 

How can we tell it is a volcanic vent and not an impact crater? Impact craters and volcanic vents can be differentiated because vents often have an irregular or elongated shape (as with Birt E). Impact craters are usually circular in shape, created by the shock-wave during an impact event.

 

Also, the 'V' shape of this crater is likely a product of the formation mechanism. 'V' shaped vents are thought to be formed from a pyroclastic eruption.

 

Gasses fractionating** out of the liquid rock create violent events during eruptions. Explosive eruptions created the shape that we see today, but Birt E could have had a complex history with effusive eruptions forming Rima Birt, a rille flowing from Birt E to the SE.

 

 

(** A process Similar to Fractional Distillation)

 

 

Digital Terrain Mesh - "BIRT-VENT"

 

Ortho Image - M1144849711

 

Rendered in 3ds Max 2018 & adjusted in Photoshop CC 2017

 

lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/794

 

wms.lroc.asu.edu/lroc/view_rdr/NAC_DTM_BIRTVENT

 

Orthographic Image and Digital Elevation Data Credit(s)

 

NASA /GSFC / Arizona State University

 

 

 

Done