China creates a new Geological Map of the Moon

China has just updated the Geological Map of the Moon, paving the Way for Lunar Landing and Research Station

The Chinese scientists have released a 1:5,000,000-scale geological map of the entire moon, plotting over 13,000 impact craters and 81 impact basins and classifying 14 types of geological structures and 17 types of rocks, marking a landmark achievement in lunar research.

The team revised the lunar geological time scale, setting the beginnings of the Aitkenian, Nectarian and Imbrian periods at 4.33 billion, 4.17 billion and 3.92 billion years ago, respectively.

For the first time globally, the map provides a finer subdivision of stratigraphic units representing the later stages of the Moon’s geologic history.

The map, drawing on data from the Chang’e lunar exploration program, was compiled by the Institute of Geology of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences.

The main sheet measures about 280 centimeters long and 120 centimeters high, supplemented by specific geological maps of the north and south polar regions.

Moon Landing

For the first time, the updated map provides a detailed global classification of the moon’s late-stage geological layers.

It offers key scientific support for China’s future lunar research station, landing site selection and deep-space exploration, while also advancing humanity’s understanding of the solar system’s evolution.

The project achieved three systematic innovations.

It refined the lunar geologic timescale and the first subdivision of late-stage lunar stratigraphy at a global scale; it updated the lunar materials inventory by adopting higher-resolution maps of key mineral distribution on the lunar surface.

The project improved rock classification standards, through which scientists identified a new rock type – gabbronorite in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, giving a direct look at material from the moon’s deep interior; and developed a customized mapping scale that ensures the large-format map remains readable while preserving scientifically significant details.

The lunar materials inventory was also updated by adopting higher-resolution maps of key mineral distribution on the lunar surface and improving rock classification standards.

This was made possible by the lunar samples returned by the Chang’e 4 and Chang’e 6 missions. Using these materials, scientists identified a new rock type — gabbronorite — in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, giving a direct look at material from the Moon’s deep interior.

Additionally, a differentiated minimum mapping scale was developed and tailored to different geological feature categories, ensuring the large-format map remains readable while preserving scientifically significant details.

The researchers created a “customized magnifying glass,” with differentiated minimum representation standards based on feature type.

This ensures the vast map remains readable, while preserving key geological features of significant scientific value.

Yang Zhiming, the director of the institute, explained that the new map will provide crucial scientific support for China’s future lunar research station construction, landing site selection, and deep space exploration, thereby making a new Chinese contribution to exploring the evolution of the solar system.