Other
Scientific paper
Mar 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993jgr....98.5335w&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 98, no. E3, p. 5335-5345.
Other
6
Lunar Crust, Lunar Evolution, Lunar Surface, Magma, Tectonics, Lithosphere, Selenology, Moon, Plate Tectonics, Magma Ocean, Crust, Lithosphere, Thickness, Density, Buoyancy, Cooling, Parameters, Subduction, Temperature, Interior, Pressure, Melting, Model, Origin, Formation, Comparisons
Scientific paper
The primary impediment to plate tectonics on the moon was probably the great thickness of its crust and particularly its high crust/lithosphere thickness ratio. This in turn can be attributed to the preponderance of low-density feldspar over all other Al-compatible phases in the lunar interior. During the magma ocean epoch, the moon's crust/lithosphere thickness ratio was at the maximum theoretical value, approximately 1, and it remained high for a long time afterwards. A few large regions of thin crust were produced by basin-scale cratering approximately contemporaneous with the demise of the magma ocean. However, these regions probably also tend to have uncommonly thin lithosphere, since they were directly heated and indirectly enriched in K, Th, and U by the same cratering process. Thus, plate tectonics on the moon in the form of systematic lithosphere subduction was impeded by the magma ocean.
No associations
LandOfFree
The magma ocean as an impediment to lunar plate tectonics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The magma ocean as an impediment to lunar plate tectonics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The magma ocean as an impediment to lunar plate tectonics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1446559