«Relief energy» in the context of the efficient sphereological concept is a marker for determining the denudation potential of the surfaces of terrestrial planets, with small lunar impact craters used as examples

A little-used term in geomorphology, «relief energy», is examined here along with the author’s efficient sphereological concept, proposed as an alternative to classical approaches. The efficient sphereological concept is based on mathematical modeling and the introduction of abstract notions of virtual planes, which include maximum and minimum surfaces. These planes are used to define the effective layer of relief formation, which is divided into three key components: passive, active, and potential. This approach enables a comprehensive assessment of relief-forming processes and their influence on shaping the surfaces of the Earth and other celestial bodies. The relief energy index, in the context of the proposed concept, serves as an indicator of the surface’s denudation potential – an important parameter for evaluating its evolutionary state. Moreover, this index can act as a marker of the relative age of the relief, as it reflects changes that have occurred due to denudation processes. To test the effectiveness of the concept, preliminary calculations and cartographic interpretations of the relief’s accumulated energy were conducted using small lunar impact craters – Menelaus, Picard, Yerkes, and Pomortsev – as case studies. These craters vary in age but are similar in size, allowing for the analysis of the relationship between denudation potential and the age of morphostructures. The study’s results show that as the age of the craters increases, their denudation potential significantly decreases. This indicates a gradual approach of the surface toward equilibrium, where material movement becomes minimal and denudation processes nearly cease. In addition, the volumes of material required to relocate in order to achieve a conditionally complete cessation of denudation processes were calculated, providing new per- spectives for modeling relief evolution. The proposed efficient sphereological concept has significant potential for further development, especially in the context of studying planetary and satellite surfaces. It may prove useful not only in theoretical exploration but also in practical applications, particularly in planetology, geomorphology, and geography.