Petrologic history of moon suggested by petrography, mineralogy, and crystallography.
Opaque mineral compositions indicate that the fugacity of oxygen is approximately 10(-13) (earth basalts, 10(-10)). Experiments under reducing conditions suggest that the crystallization range is approximately 1140 degrees to 1070 degrees C. Iron-rich pyroxmangite, fayalite, and hedenbergite occur in microgabbro. Ferropseudobrookite rimmed by ilmenite containing rutile and Cr-spinel lamellae occurs in ferrobasalt. Plagioclase vitrophyres in breccia can explain highland Surveyor VII analysis. We suggest crystal-liquid differentiation of out-gassed convecting moon with growing Fe-rich core, olivine-pyroxene mantle, plagioclase-rich dynamic crust underlain by nonspherical, inversely stratified ferrobasalt. Impact-breaking or convection-thrusting of crust releases fraction rich in Fe and Ti. Scanning electron microscopy of glass balls reveals minute depressions consistent with micrometeorite impact.
Anderson
A T
AT
Crewe
A V
AV
Goldsmith
J R
JR
Moore
P B
PB
Newton
J C
JC
Olsen
E J
EJ
Smith
J V
JV
Wyllie
P J
PJ