Evidence for isostasy in the lunar mascon maria

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Gravity Anomalies, Isostasy, Lunar Gravitation, Lunar Maria, Mascons, Basalt, Isostatic Pressure, Lunar Crust, Relaxation Time, Rheology

Scientific paper

The pronounced positive gravity anomalies in the lunar circular maria imply lack of isostatic compensation of the lunar mascons. This lack of isostasy is hard to reconcile with the rheological properties of the lunar crust. Analysis of the negative ring anomalies that appear to surround the major positive gravity peaks indicates that associated with each mascon is a mass deficit of approximately the same size. In view of the lunar rheology, these mass deficits most probably represent compensating mass deficits beneath the lunar mascon maria. Consequently, most lunar mascons appear to be near isostatic equilibrium, and the observed gravity anomalies may be essentially the superposition of positive gravity peaks due to the basaltic mare fill, and less pronounced, broader gravity lows due to the compensating mass deficits at depth.

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

Evidence for isostasy in the lunar mascon maria 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 Evidence for isostasy in the lunar mascon maria, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence for isostasy in the lunar mascon maria will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-940519

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