Which orbiter provided crucial high-resolution imagery demonstrating recent tectonic activity?
Answer
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
The determination that tectonic activity, specifically the formation of wrinkle ridges, continued into the most recent geological epoch relied heavily on advanced orbital observation tools. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was instrumental in this discovery. The LRO captured high-resolution imagery that allowed geologists to study the morphology and apparent youth of these compressional thrust faults. This detailed visual confirmation indicated that significant internal stress and subsequent crustal deformation have been occurring within the last billion years, directly challenging older models of a completely inert Moon.
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