Tungsten isotopic constraints on the origin and evolution of the Moon
- University of Münster (Germany). Institut für Planetologie; Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division
- University of Münster (Germany). Institut für Planetologie
Here we report the Moon most likely formed as the result of a collision between the proto-Earth and a differentiated body possibly the size of Mars (Cameron and Benz, 1991; Hartmann and Davis, 1975). The enormous amount of energy released by this giant impact caused widespread melting on the proto-Earth and the ejection of material into Earth’s orbit from which the Moon subsequently accreted. Upon accretion of the Moon, the lunar mantle underwent global silicate differentiation most likely facilitated by a lunar magma ocean (e.g. Wood et al., 1970). Magma ocean crystallization likely produced the wide diversity of lunar source rocks and involved the successive crystallization of mafic cumulates consisting of olivine and pyroxene, followed by crystallization of plagioclase which floated to the lunar surface to form the lunar crust consisting of ferroan anorthosites (FAN). Lastly, the residual liquid of the lunar magma ocean represents a separate component within the Moon termed KREEP (enriched in Potassium K, Rare Earth Elements, and Phosphorous). Re-melting of these magma ocean crystallization products of the low-Ti and high-Ti mare basalt source regions as well as the formation of Mg-suite lunar highland rocks.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344
- OSTI ID:
- 1466142
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-JRNL-744638; 899689
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: In: Encylopedia of Lunar Science
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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