wrinkle-ridge

A wrinkle-ridge is a type of feature commonly found on Lunar mares. These features are low, sinuous ridges formed on the maria surface that can extend for up to several hundred kilometers. The wrinkle-ridges are tectonic features created when the basaltic-lava first cooled and contracted. They frequently outline ring structures buried within the mare; follow circular patterns outlining the mare, or intersect protruding peaks. They are sometimes called veins due to their resemblance to the veins that protrude from beneath the skin. The latin word dorsa is used when designating a wrinkle-ridge, and dorsum for naming a network of ridges. The standard IAU nomenclature uses the names of people to identify wrinkle-ridges. Thus the Dorsa Burnet is named for Thomas Burnet, and the Dorsum Owen is named after George Owen.

Wrinkle-ridge

See also