AS16-120-19266(H)

Figure 155

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The Apollo 16 astronauts captured this spectacular view of the large dark "pool" on the north flank of the crater King as they approached from the east. The pool (also known as a lake, pond, or playa) is in an old crater swamped by King ejecta. The maximum width of the pool is about 21 km. The peculiar dark material that forms the large pool and also coats adjacent hills was first discovered on Apollo 10, and was later seen again from Apollo 14. The most exciting part of the discovery had to wait until the mapping and panoramic cameras of Apollo 16 showed that this material contains some of the freshest and most spectacular flow structures on the Moon. These structures, some of which are seen in  Figures 156-163, show that the material behaved like lava. The material is very similar in appearance to that filling parts of the floor of King.
   -K.A.H.

A schematic map based on figure 155 shows some of the geologic relationships. The solid line marks the rim crest of the crater King and the stipple pattern delineates the many pools of smooth dark material. Dashed lines represent lineaments that probably are the surface expressions of faults. Arrows indicate the directions of flow of the molten or partially molten material from higher to lower levels; most finally accumulating in the large pool in the center. A scarp whose origin is not fully understood, but which may possibly be the result of splashing of the molten material from the impact site onto a slope is indicated by S.    -F.E.-B.