Mare Basalt

Mare Basalt refers to the dark, volcanic rock found on the Moon’s surface, primarily in the large, flat plains called lunar maria. These basalts formed from ancient lava flows that erupted onto the lunar surface billions of years ago, filling large impact basins and cooling to solid rock. They are rich in iron and magnesium, giving them their dark appearance. Studying mare basalts helps scientists understand the Moon’s volcanic history, its internal composition, and the processes that shaped its surface early in its history.