Searching for neuKREEP: an EMP study of Apollo 11 Group A basalts

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Basalt, Fractionation, Landing Sites, Mineralogy, Titanium Oxides, Trace Elements, Glass, Minerals, Quartz

Scientific paper

The Apollo 11 and 17 landing sites are characterized by the presence of high-Ti basalts (TiO2 greater than 6 percent). The Group A basalts of Apollo 11 have elevated K compositions (greater than 2000 ppm); and are enriched in incompatible trace elements relative to the other types of high-Ti basalt found in the region. These unique basalts also are the youngest of all high-Ti basalts, with an age of 3.56 +/- 0.02 Ga. Recent modelling of the Apollo 11 Group A basalts by Jerde et al. has demonstrated that this unique variety of high-Ti basalt may have formed through fractionation of a liquid with the composition of the Apollo 11 orange glass, coupled with assimilation of evolved material (dubbed neuKREEP and having similarities to lunar quartz monzodiorite). Assimilation of this material would impart its REE signature on the liquid, resulting in the elevated REE abundances observed. Minerals such as whitlockite which contain a large portion of the REE budget can be expected to reflect the REE characteristics of the assimilant. To this end, an examination of the whitlockite present in the Apollo 11 Group A basalts was undertaken to search for evidence of the neuKREEP material assimilated.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Searching for neuKREEP: an EMP study of Apollo 11 Group A basalts 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 Searching for neuKREEP: an EMP study of Apollo 11 Group A basalts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Searching for neuKREEP: an EMP study of Apollo 11 Group A basalts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1449193

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.