Other
Scientific paper
May 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001agusm...p41b05p&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2001, abstract #P41B-05
Other
5420 Impact Phenomena (Includes Cratering), 5430 Interiors (8147), 5455 Origin And Evolution, 5475 Tectonics (8149)
Scientific paper
We investigated the subcrustal differentiation of lunar mass by studying the correlation spectrum between free-air gravity anomalies and terrain gravity effects at 100 km altitude in the region between the 64° S and 64° N. The free-air gravity anomaly estimates from the Lunar Prospector model (LP75G) were separated into terrain-correlated and terrain-decorrelated components. The terrain-decorrelated gravity anomalies revealed remarkable correlations with the LP75G gravity model that may be related to intracrustal density variations and subcrustal density variations of the mantle and the core. Specifically, the terrain-decorrelated anomaly components that are correlative with the low-order components of LP75G through spherical harmonic degree 7 may mostly reflect density variations of the core. Similarly, the terrain-decorrelated anomaly components that are correlative with the LP75G components from degree 8 through 12 and 13 through 24, respectively, may broadly reflect lower and middle mantle density variations, while those related to the LP75G components above degree 25 may largely reflect the effects of intracrustal density contrasts. These higher frequency components of the free-air gravity anomaly field are perhaps most appropriate to relate to remote sensing imagery and other data sets that impose near-surface constraints on the lunar crust. The longer and intermediate wavelength components of the terrain-decorrelated anomalies were investigated for mass variations of the lunar core and mantle that are constrained by studies of lunar seismicity, normalized moments of inertia, and the gravitational differentiation and compressibility of magmas. Inversions of the subcrustal anomalies inferred boundary undulations for the core-mantle, asthenosphere-lithosphere, and middle-upper mantle that are remarkably correlated with surface impacts. The elevated core topography revealed beneath the Procellarum basin is consistent with the uplifting effects of the Imbrium impact and the development of the great lunar hotspot. Topographic undulations inferred for the lower and middle mantle reflect the dichotomized thermal evolution of the lunar near and far sides during bombardment time. On the nearside, the results support the development of relatively thinner and hotter lithosphere by mantle convection that facilitated the diapiric rise of magma and mare flooding of the basins. For the farside, the results favor the development of thicker and cooler lithosphere by viscous entrainment of lower density material into the lower mantle that limited basin flooding.
Potts Laramie V.
von Frese Ralph R.
No associations
LandOfFree
Lunar Subcrustal Mass Variations from Spectrally Correlated Free-air and Terrain Gravity Effects 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 Lunar Subcrustal Mass Variations from Spectrally Correlated Free-air and Terrain Gravity Effects, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lunar Subcrustal Mass Variations from Spectrally Correlated Free-air and Terrain Gravity Effects will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1272208