ИСТИНА

The report presents the results of a research study of the lunar surface in the areas of gravity anomalies. The source of gravity anomalies of the Moon are large mascons with a high mass concentration at a depth of volcanic plains and lunar Maria. Formation of mascons is connected with intensive development of basaltic volcanism on the Moon in the early periods of its existence. Photographs taken by in-orbit satellites of the Moon show the lunar Maria covered with volcanic lava, meandering lava flows, cones, domes and destroyed depressions. On the near side of the Moon almost all the Maria are concentrated. According to Lunar soil samples collected by Apollo-17 and the Luna-16 expeditions all the Maria on the Moon are of volcanic origin. Age of mare basalt is evaluated starting from 3.8 up to 3.1 milliards years. The most ancient basalt lava, the age of which is 3.8 milliards years, was found by Apollo-17 moon expedition at the area of Taurus-Littrow valley. Lava tubes and natural lava bridges also belong to unique formations on the Moon. Lava tubes represent long elbowed hollow tunnel with outflow lava. For the first time, entry into tunnel was taken by Japan spacecraft Kaguya. Round pit with the diameter of 65 - 90 meters and with depth of 34 meters was found at volcanic area of Marius hills on the near side of the Moon. Natural bridges, situated in King crater, were formed at the result of crop fall into cavity, carved with lava. Many volcanic structures have been found by the Grail spacecraft. These are tectonic structures, basins of impact craters, ancient linear gravity anomalies. The article presents the data of physical and mechanical properties of the surface soil layer of the lunar Maria and gives an assessment of the chemical composition of the soil. All measurements have been performed according to the theoretical models of light scattering on the basis of survey of the lunar surface by in-orbit spacecrafts and analysis of the lunar soil samples. There have been calculated heterogeneity parameters of the surface macro-relief of the lunar Maria: albedo, soil density, average grain diameter of the particles forming the surface layer and the volume fraction occupied by particles. Previous articles showed correlation dependence of the chemical composition of rocks on the macrostructure of the lunar surface. The surface macrostructure was evaluated by comparing the local phase function with the lunar spatial scattering indicatrix. Phase function difference at an 18-degree phase is properly consistent with the chemical composition of the surface layer of soil, in particular with the content of thorium and iron oxide. It can be assumed that mascons include rich KREEP rocks with a high content of thorium and iron oxide. KREEP rocks in the areas of the lunar Maria covered by volcanic lava are probably located on the surface or at a shallow depth.