Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Lobate Scarps in the Lunar South Polar Region: Evidence for Latitudinal Variation of Scarp Geometry, Kinematics and Formation Ages, Neo‐Tectonic Activity and Sources of Potential Seismic Risks at the Artemis Candidate Landing Regions

Abstract

Abstract Lobate scarps (thrust faults) in the lunar south polar region (90°–60°S) provide important insights into tectonic history, seismicity, and seismic hazard potential of landing sites. In this study, we discovered 75 new lobate scarps and >500 segments, exhibiting latitudinal variation of geometry and movement directions. Formation ages of 141 prominent scarp segments show fault growth rates and directions, decreasing ages from south pole to mid‐latitude, continuous tectonic activity in the last 100 million years with a peak around 10 Ma, seismic resetting of ages, and timings of global contraction. The scarps are capable of producing small‐medium size moonquakes within 5–10 km depths. The deterministic seismic hazard analysis, considering occurrence of MW 1–4 shallow moonquakes along the scarps in the next few decades, and their seismic ground motion characteristics, suggests variable levels of potential seismic risk at the Artemis candidate landing regions and further probabilistic seismic hazard analysis is necessary.

Keywords

• lunar south polar region
• lobate scarps
• tectonic history
• shallow moonquakes
• seismic hazard
• robotic and human landing sites