Science Past for January 17, 1959

PROPOSE CRATER THEORY — Huge bubbles of gas bursting through the moon’s surface may be the cause of lunar craters. Two British scientists proposed in a new “blowhole theory” that gases trapped under the surface when suddenly set free would form craters resembling those observed on the moon. Among other current theories are those attributing the formation of craters to meteorite impacts and volcanoes. The scientists, Drs. A. G. Gaydon and R. C. M. Learner of … Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, say recent reports of volcanic activity on the moon stimulated them to develop their theory.… Dr. Gaydon had observed blowholes forming as he was evacuating gas from a flask containing magnesium carbonate.