As with all science, our continually developing concepts of lunar evolution are firmly tied to both new types of observations and the integration of these observations to the known pool of data. This process invigorates the intellectual foundation on which old models are tested and new concepts are built. Just as the application of new observational tools to lunar science in 1610 (Galileo’s telescope) and 1840 (photography) yielded breakthroughs concerning the true nature of the lunar surface, the computational and technological advances highlighted by the Apollo and post-Apollo missions and associated scientific investigations provided a new view of the thermal...

A key challenge for volcanological science and hazard management is that few of the world’s volcanoes are effectively monitored. Satellite imagery covers volcanoes globally throughout their eruptive cycles, independent of ground-based monitoring, providing a multidecadal archive suitable for probabilistic analysis linking deformation with eruption. Here we show that, of the 198 volcanoes systematically observed for the past 18 years, 54 deformed, of which 25 also erupted. For assessing eruption potential, this high proportion of deforming volcanoes that also erupted (46%), together with the proportion of non-deforming volcanoes that did not erupt (94%), jointly represent indicators with ‘strong’ evidential worth. Using a larger catalogue of 540 volcanoes observed for 3 years, we demonstrate how this eruption–deformation relationship is influenced by tectonic, petrological and volcanic factors. Satellite technology is rapidly evolving and routine monitoring of the deformation status of all volcanoes from space is anticipated, meaning probabilistic approaches will increasingly inform hazard decisions and strategic development.

Lunar Lobate Scarps Revealed: Lunar lobate scarps are relatively small-scale landforms that are thought to be formed by tectonic thrust faulting. Previously, lunar lobate scarps could only be identified clearly in high-resolution Apollo Panoramic Camera images confined to the lunar equatorial zone. Now, an analysis by Watters et al. (p. 936 ) of images returned by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera reveals 14 previously unknown lobate scarps and shows that lunar lobate scarps may be globally distributed. Their appearance suggests that lunar scarps are relatively young landforms (less than 1 Ga), possibly formed during a recent episode of global lunar radial contraction.