Tectonic implications of the mare-ridge pattern of the central parts of Oceanus Procellarum on the Moon

A structural analysis is presented of the mare ridge pattern in an area of about 1 000 000 km² in the central parts of Oceanus Procellarum.The penetration of magmas through the crust at the Marius Hills and Aristarchus Plateau/Harbinger Mountains volcanic complexes may have happened along pre-existing deep zone of weakness. Associated with these zones are present mare ridge ranges, some of which can be regarded as having formed radial or subradial ridge swarms to the complexes as they were strengthened by stress field changes caused by upward doming and penetrating magmas.The present moonquake epicentres within this area seem to be connected with mare ridge ranges. Focal depths from about 800 to 1000 km indicate a decreasing trend of tectonic activity. One shallow moonquake epicentre also lies within the mare ridge sets.