Strength and rigidity of the elastic lunar lithosphere and implications for present-day mantle convection in the moon

Physics

Scientific paper

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Convection, Elastic Properties, Lithosphere, Lunar Crust, Lunar Gravitation, Lunar Mantle, Buoyancy, Convective Heat Transfer, Earth Planetary Structure, Elastic Plates, Gravity Anomalies, Lunar Evolution, Mascons

Scientific paper

Lunar gravity data are used to estimate the thickness of the elastically defined lunar lithosphere, and the load-bearing capability of lithosphere with respect to lunar mascons is analyzed by representing the elastic lithosphere as a plane elastic plate subject to spatially concentrated loads from above and buoyant support from below. Gravity perturbations are computed and compared with observations, the spectrum of lunar gravity perturbations is derived, and effects of curvature are considered. The magnitude of the elastic stresses associated with a lithospheric flexure model maintaining the irregularities of the lunar gravity field is shown to be quite similar to that of the lithospheric stresses found on earth. It is concluded that associated differences in gravity, heat flow, and lithospheric thickness all combine to make the lunar lithosphere much more rigid and stronger than that of earth. Implications for present-day lunar convection are discussed.

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