Morphological analysis of the cratering of the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the moon

Morphological features of craters in the South Pole-Aitken Basin are studied. Craters in the basin are compared to craters located in highland and mare regions. In comparison studies, the following morphological features were considered: (1) the degree of rim degradation; the presence of (2) terraces and faults, (3) hills, peaks, and ridges, (4) fissures and chains of small craters, (5) lava on the crater floor; (6) the character of the door; and (7) the presence of ray systems. In the basin 3.8 million km(2) in area, 1538 craters of 10 km in diameter or larger are found. Craters in the South Pole-Aitken Basin are found to be less degraded than those in the mare region. Additionally, terraces on the inner slopes of craters in the basin are less degraded, and more faults are observed in the craters in the highland region. The craters in the three regions studied are similar in the presence of peaks and hills, while the density of craters with fissures and chains of small craters on the floor are greater in the mare region. No craters with ray systems are found in the basin. The South Pole-Aitken Basin is assumed to have formed late in the period of heavy bombardment.