Imbrian period

E867322

The Imbrian period is a major lunar geologic era characterized by extensive mare volcanism and large impact basins that shaped much of the Moon’s visible surface.

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Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf lunar geologic era
lunar geologic period
associatedWith Imbrium basin formation NERFINISHED
Orientale basin formation NERFINISHED
characterizedBy extensive mare volcanism
formation of large impact basins
widespread basaltic lava flooding
correlatesWith heavy bombardment tail end in inner Solar System
definedBy lunar impact stratigraphy
radiometric age dating of lunar samples
distinguishedFrom Copernican period
Eratosthenian period NERFINISHED
Nectarian period NERFINISHED
Pre-Nectarian period
EarlyImbrianApproximateAgeRange 3.85–3.8 billion years ago
evidenceFrom Apollo mission rock samples
lunar meteorites
follows Nectarian period NERFINISHED
hasApproximateEndAge 3.2 billion years ago
hasApproximateStartAge 3.85 billion years ago
hasImpactCrateringActivity declining compared to earlier periods
hasKeyBasin Crisium basin NERFINISHED
Humorum basin NERFINISHED
Imbrium basin NERFINISHED
Nubium basin NERFINISHED
Orientale basin NERFINISHED
Serenitatis basin NERFINISHED
Tranquillitatis basin NERFINISHED
hasSubdivision Early Imbrian NERFINISHED
Late Imbrian
hasVolcanicActivity peak mare basalt eruptions
includesEvent formation of Mare Imbrium
formation of major lunar maria
includesTerrainType mare plains GENERATED
ringed impact basins GENERATED
LateImbrianApproximateAgeRange 3.8–3.2 billion years ago
mappedUsing lunar orbital imagery
namedAfter Mare Imbrium NERFINISHED
occursOn Moon NERFINISHED
partOf geologic history of the Moon
precedes Eratosthenian period NERFINISHED
recognizedBy International Commission on Stratigraphy for the Moon NERFINISHED
shaped much of the Moon’s visible surface
startAfter Nectaris basin formation NERFINISHED
usedIn lunar stratigraphic classification
visibleOn near side of the Moon

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Mare Imbrium age Imbrian period
Ocean of Storms formedDuring Imbrian period