Topographic Evolution of Von Karman Crater Revealed by the Lunar Rover Yutu-2

Chang'e-4 (CE-4) achieved the first farside landing in Von Karman crater. In the landing site, linear features have been identified previously from SLDEM and considered to be ejecta from the neighboring Finsen crater. The 5 cm grid spacing digital elevation model of the landing site, generated from the rover's panoramic images, provides more details of the rugged terrain. We further interpret the superimposition of NE-SW ejecta from Finsen crater on the underlying SE-NW dome-like surface relief from Alder crater. The landing site is similar to 70 m higher than the mare basalts within Von Karman crater. Numerical simulations predict similar to 30 and similar to 35 m ejecta deposited at the landing site from Finsen and Alder craters, respectively. The good agreement between the digital elevation model data and ejecta predicted thickness reveals the topographic evolution of Von Karman crater, indicating that the rover-measured material is excavated from Finsen crater with possible contributions from Alder crater.