China unveils refined lunar map, empowering future moon exploration

A Chinese research team has completed an updated geologic map of the entire moon featuring a scale of 1:5 million, the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (IGCAGS), said on Thursday.

Representing a significant scientific iteration from the 2024 version, this map effectively rewrites the moon's geologic history based on the latest research findings.

Specifically, a primary achievement of this update is the recalibration of the moon's ancient geologic eras. The new map systematically updates the age boundaries of the moon's three ancient geologic periods, namely the Aitkenian, Nectarian and Imbrian periods, drawing on recent advances in international chronology.

Crucially, Chang'e-5 samples confirmed volcanic activity on the moon as recently as 2 billion years ago, extending its geologic lifespan by 1 billion years from the previously accepted 3 billion years. This independent dating data has now become a cornerstone of the global lunar geologic timescale.

Highlighting these spatial discoveries, the new global lunar geologic map is the first comprehensive canvas to bear exclusive findings from the Chang'e-6 mission.

The map details the age of young mare basalts on the lunar far side obtained from the Chang'e-6 samples, recording the region's volcanic history. Furthermore, it reveals that KREEP rocks, enriched with rare earth elements and other strategic resources, are far more continuous and abundant in the Oceanus Procellarum than previously estimated. This discovery, achieved by eliminating spectral noise, prompts a systemic reevaluation of the moon's early magma ocean crystallization and internal thermal evolution.

Beyond its scientific data, the 2.8-by-1.2-meter map introduces a proprietary cartographic standard. Identifying over 13,500 impact craters and 81 basins, it employs a unique color scheme rooted in geologic logic and traditional Chinese aesthetics, following a "lighter for younger, darker for older" principle.

Furthermore, this standard will also be applied to future geologic mapping of Mars and asteroids, ending reliance on foreign standard systems.

China unveils refined lunar map, empowering future moon exploration

About 100 people died during a mass border crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta last week, Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas told an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Thursday.

Vivas said about 80,000 people entered Ceuta, nearly 75,000 of whom subsequently returned voluntarily.

Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, leaving reception centers overwhelmed and creating a severe humanitarian emergency, he said, calling for stronger security, more reception resources and greater support from EU agencies.

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner described the influx which involved a number of people roughly equivalent to Ceuta's entire population as "incredible".

"Nothing on this scale has happened at any EU external border in 20 years, not in a single day," Brunner told the meeting, stressing that the EU could not accept such a breach of the integrity of its external borders or a violation of the security of the Union.

Brunner said the EU should use all the leverage at its disposal, including visa policy and, more broadly, trade and development aid, to secure Morocco's cooperation on migration.

100 deaths in mass border crossing into Spain's Ceuta: local leader