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Title: Sm-Nd systematics of lunar ferroan anorthositic suite rocks: Constraints on lunar crust

Journal Article · · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2]
  1. Clermont Univ., Univ. Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand (France)
  2. Dept. of Terrestrial Magnetism, Washington, DC (United States)
  3. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Here, we have measured Sm–Nd systematics, including the short-lived 146Sm–142Nd chronometer, in lunar ferroan anorthositic suite (FAS) whole rocks (15415, 62236, 62255, 65315, 60025). At least some members of the suite are thought to be primary crystallization products formed by plagioclase flotation during crystallization of the lunar magma ocean (LMO). Most of these samples, except 62236, have not been exposed to galactic cosmic rays for a long period and thus require minimal correction to their 142Nd isotope composition. These samples all have measured deficits in 142Nd relative to the JNdi-1 terrestrial standard in the range –45 to –21 ppm. The range is –45 to –15 ppm once the 62236 142Nd/144Nd ratio is corrected from neutron-capture effects. Analyzed FAS samples do not define a single isochron in either 146Sm–142Nd or 147Sm–143Nd systematics, suggesting that they either do not have the same crystallization age, come from different sources, or have suffered isotopic disturbance. Because the age is not known for some samples, we explore the implications of their initial isotopic compositions for crystallization ages in the first 400 Ma of solar system history, a timing interval that covers all the ages determined for the ferroan anorthositic suite whole rocks as well as different estimates for the crystallization of the LMO. 62255 has the largest deficit in initial 142Nd and does not appear to have followed the same differentiation path as the other FAS samples. The large deficit in 142Nd of FAN 62255 may suggest a crystallization age around 60–125 Ma after the beginning of solar system accretion. This result provides essential information about the age of the giant impact forming the Moon. The initial Nd isotopic compositions of FAS samples can be matched either with a bulk-Moon with chondritic Sm/Nd ratio but enstatite-chondrite-like initial 142Nd/144Nd (e.g. 10 ppm below modern terrestrial), or a bulk-Moon with superchondritic Sm/Nd ratio and initial 142Nd/144Nd similar to ordinary chondrites.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1249127
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-656753
Journal Information:
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 148, Issue C; ISSN 0016-7037
Publisher:
The Geochemical Society; The Meteoritical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 25 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (6)

Lunar Cumulate Mantle Overturn: A Model Constrained by Ilmenite Rheology journal May 2019
Magma oceans as a critical stage in the tectonic development of rocky planets
  • Schaefer, Laura; Elkins-Tanton, Linda T.
  • Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Vol. 376, Issue 2132 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2018.0109
journal October 2018
Analysis of lunar samples: Implications for planet formation and evolution journal July 2019
Major element composition of an Early Enriched Reservoir: constraints from 142Nd/144Nd isotope systematics in the early Earth and high-pressure melting experiments of a primitive peridotite journal August 2016
Silicate melts during Earth's core formation journal June 2017
Quantitative estimates of impact induced crustal erosion during accretion and its influence on the Sm/Nd ratio of the Earth journal July 2021

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