What surface feature characterizes the Near Side, unlike the Far Side?
Answer
It is characterized by darker, smoother plains known as maria.
The two hemispheres of the Moon exhibit stark differences in their geological surface features. The near side, which is consistently visible from Earth, is dominated by dark, smoother plains. These plains are specifically identified as maria, which are vast areas formed by ancient basaltic lava flows that filled large impact basins early in lunar history. In contrast, the far side lacks these extensive mare features, being instead heavily cratered and composed mainly of lighter, older crustal material. This compositional disparity provides distinct insights into the early evolutionary history of the Moon when comparing samples from both sides.
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