Craterra

Grimaldi Quadrangle

Extensional Rille System in the Lunar Highlands

Cutting across highland terrain from Oceanus Procellarum to crater Darwin, Rimae Sirsalis formed through surface extension and hosts a lunar swirl pattern.

Feature Profile & Selenographic Data

Feature type
rima
Coordinates
15.01° S · 61.36° W
Diameter
405 km
IAU approval
1964/01/01 00:00:00
LAC quadrangle
LAC-74 · Grimaldi

Geological Chronicle

Rimae Sirsalis is a lunar rille measuring 405 kilometers in length. The trough was formed by extension of the surface, possibly due to dike propagation in the subsurface.

The rille cuts across highlands almost exclusively, beginning at the edge of Oceanus Procellarum near crater Sirsalis, from which it gets its name. Proceeding away from the mare, it passes through craters, ranges of hills, and small rilles before ending among the cracks in the floor of crater Darwin.

Rimae Sirsalis is also the site of a lunar swirl pattern and an associated magnetic anomaly.

Scientific Sources & References

Name Origin

Named from nearby crater.

Interactive Lunar Surface

Explore Rimae Sirsalis in 3D

Inspect lunar elevation data and the official selenographic position.