AS 17-49-22838 - Crater Chain (Far-Side)

This oblique view taken with the Hasselblad camera shows a crater chain on the Far-Side, about 500 Km North of Tsiolkovsky. For an idea of the scale, the large crater near the upper left corner is about 26 Km wide. The origin of this chain is controversial. To some geologists, the irregular shape of many of the craters suggests that the chain was formed by the impact of a stream of ejecta from a large primary crater. The presence of herringbone ridges would have strengthened this interpretation, but none are visible; perhaps the high Sun angle and the oblique viewing angle of this scene have obscured them. To others the simple geometry of the chain suggests a volcanic origin. However, there is an apparent lack of faulting to control the alinement of the craters and an apparent absence of a blanket of volcanic ejecta.
The origin of this chain may not be decipherable until, and unless, additional photography becomes available.