NASA spots a giant patch of Moon-like rock on Earth
NASA has identified a large formation of anorthosite rock in southern Madagascar that shares geological similarities with the Moon's surface. The discovery provides insight into ancient Earth processes and continental shifts.
Why it matters
Understanding these rare geological formations helps scientists reconstruct Earth's ancient history and provides a terrestrial analog for lunar geology.
An ancient formation of bright anorthosite, a rock commonly found on the Moon, stands out among the heavily deformed rocks of southern Madagascar.
A bright, unusual patch of rock in southern Madagascar has a surprising connection to the Moon. Seen from space, the formation stands out against the surrounding dry landscape. Although it may look unusual on Earth, the same type of rock is widespread across the lunar surface.
The rock, called anorthosite, is an igneous material that makes up much of the Moon's bright, reflective highlands. These light-colored regions are visible to the naked eye when looking at the Moon from Earth.
Anorthosite is not exclusive to the Moon. Large deposits also occur in several regions of Earth, including eastern Canada, Scandinavia, southern India, and Madagascar. In southern Madagascar, one particularly striking deposit forms a roughly circular feature that is easily distinguishable from the surrounding terrain.
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