What is the scientific term describing the striking geological contrast between the lunar near side and the far side?
Answer
Lunar dichotomy
The lunar dichotomy refers to the dramatic and profound difference in geological composition and structure observed when comparing the two hemispheres of the Moon. The near side is heavily characterized by smooth, dark plains known as maria, which are solidified basaltic lava flows. In stark contrast, the far side lacks these large plains, instead exhibiting a surface dominated by lighter, ancient, and heavily impacted terrain, representing a fundamental separation in the geological evolution history of the two sides.
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