Lunar Surface Landscape and Shallow Structure: Craters and Lava Tubes

After the U.S. Project Apollo, many countries have been continuously augmenting the exploration of the lunar surface and structure, such as the U.S. Clementine probe, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), China's Chang'e Project (Chang'e 1-6), Japan's SELenological and ENgineering Explorer (SELENE), and India's Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission. These circumlunar orbital probes and round-trip lunar rock and soil sampling not only have deepened the scientific understanding of lunar surface landscape and shallow structure, but also are of great scientific significance for humankind to establish permanent international scientific research stations as well as for the development and utilization of lunar resources.

In recent years, a series of progress has been made based on the observation and exploration of the lunar landscape and shallow structure, such as high-resolution lunar geological maps and digital elevation models of the Moon. In particular there are more and more studies focusing on the distribution, classification, dating, formation mechanisms, and degradation processes of lunar craters as well as the detection of possible lava tube holes near the lunar surface.

This Collection is dedicated to presenting the latest advancements on the lunar surface landscape and shallow structure, especially craters and lava tubes as examples. We welcome Original Research articles as well as Reviews, Perspectives, and Comments on the following specific areas of focus that include, but are not limited to:

• Geometric characteristics, formation mechanisms, dating, degradation processes, and future trends of lunar craters
• Detection, geometry, formation mechanisms, distribution, and mechanical stability of lunar shallow lava tubes
• Siting, energy supply, maintenance, and mechanical stability of international scientific research stations on the Moon.
• Drilling, sampling, preservation and recovery processes of lunar soil and rocks
• Analysis of composition and thermodynamic parameters of lunar soil and rock
• Related numerical simulation and data analysis