Feature type

Lava Plain (Mare)

A broad, dark plain of solidified lava. The lunar maria — the 'seas' — are vast basalt flows that filled ancient impact basins; similar plains cover much of Venus and Mars.

In brief

A plain formed by extensive lava flooding.

Examples of this feature

Mare ImbriumSurface feature
The Moon · ≈ 1,150 km across
The vast lava-filled 'Sea of Showers', one of the largest lunar maria, occupying a giant ancient impact basin on the Moon's near side.

Mare Tranquillitatis

Knowledge connections

Group includesMare Imbrium
Group includesMare Tranquillitatis

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.