Multiple Impact Sources for Light Plains Around the Lunar South Pole

We investigated the age and origin of 41 light plain deposits around the lunar south pole, using LRO data sets and successfully dated 22 of them using crater size-frequency distribution measurements. We find that deposits related to Schrödinger basin are ∼3.8 Ga old, including deposits on the Amundsen crater floor, which we interpret as Schrödinger basin ejecta. Six study areas date to ∼3.7 Ga, which reflect an additional large-scale or basin impact event post-Schrödinger - possibly Orientale. An additional two areas with younger isolated ages likely represent local impact sources. Finally, smooth, light plains-like, ejecta deposits around Shackleton crater were found to be Eratosthenian in age. Our findings show that light plain deposits originate from a combination of both basin and local ejecta materials. Thus, samples collected in the region will exhibit a diverse range of basin materials and ages representative of the ejecta from multiple impact events.