How is the varying thickness of the lunar crust related to the presence or absence of maria on the Moon?

Question

This is for a review for school. I would appreciate the help.

Answer 1

The thickness of the crust is dependent on much more than the presence or absence of the Mares (or seas) on the Moon.

Crust thickness in the highlands is estimated to be as much as 5 times or more than the thickness below the mares, because, when the mares were formed, the lava ran downhill into the lowlands.

The lowlands are a combination of natural geological features and impact basins - where large meteorites struck the surface of the Moon anywhere from 4By (billion years) to 100 My (million years) ago.

One of the very interesting features on the Moon is the almost complete absence of impact basins on the far side.

Answer 2

Scientists think that such uneveness of the lunar crust most likely accounts for the Moon's off-set center of mass. Crustal uneveness may also explain differences in lunar terrain, such as the dominance of smooth rock (maria) on the near side of the Moon.