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Geology

University at Albany, State University of New York

Theses/Dissertations

1999

Lunar mantle

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Major- And Minor-Element Analysis Of Apollo 14 Volcanic Green Glasses B, And Petrogenic Modeling Of Apollo 14 Green Glasses A And B, Vera Assis Fernandes Jan 1999

Major- And Minor-Element Analysis Of Apollo 14 Volcanic Green Glasses B, And Petrogenic Modeling Of Apollo 14 Green Glasses A And B, Vera Assis Fernandes

Geology Theses and Dissertations

The lunar picritic volcanic glasses have been identified as being quenched samples of primary magmas extruded onto the lunar surface via fire-fountains. The study of the composition of these glasses is of extreme importance for the understanding of the Moon's mantle composition and petrogenetic processes.
Based on their chemical signature (low-Ti and high Mg#) and physical characteristics, the lunar picritic glasses are believed to represent primary magmas. Experimental data suggest that these melts formed at 360-500 km depth (18-25 kbar) in the lunar mantle, and were transported onto the lunar surface through a "channel" network (McKenzie, 1985b) that isolated these …