China releases first global geologic map of Moon

China has released a new geologic map of the Moon on a scale of 1:2,500,000, the first one in the world.

This is according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Chinese scientists from the Institute of Geochemistry of the CAS and other research institutes and universities have created the map based on data from the country's Change Project and also with other data and research findings from international organisations.

The map included 12,341 impact craters, 81 impact basins, 17 rock types, and 14 types of structures.

This would provide important basic information for scientific research, exploration planning, and landing site selection of the Moon.

The map is available in both Chinese and English, in paper and electronic versions.

It was published in the journal Science Bulletin.