DLR Institute of Planetary Research - 14.11.2011 - Impact craters with different preservation states

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14.11.2011 - Impact craters with different preservation states

This Dawn FC (framing camera) image shows four large impact craters close to one another on Vesta’s surface. Interestingly, each of these four has a distinct preservation state. The crater on the right is the freshest: its rim is clear and sharp and material can be distinctly seen slumping into the center of the crater. The crater in the bottom is partially degraded: its rim is less clear and more rounded and material slumping into the center is only somewhat visible. The crater on the left is more degraded again: its rim is less distinct and very rounded and there is no slumping material visible. It has also has been partially covered by some younger impacts. The crater in the top is the most degraded: its rim is extremely rounded and it has been well covered by many younger impacts. It is so degraded that it may be called a ruin crater. It is clear from this image that as craters get older their rims get less sharp and more rounded, slumping material blends in with the rest of the material on Vesta’s surface and the number of younger impacts increases.

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