Glass compositions in Apollo 16 soils 60501 and 61221
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Publications and source records attributed to Ridley, W. I..
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Ten per cent of the 50 to 150-micron size fraction of Luna 20 soil is glass. A random suite of 270 of these glasses has been analyzed by electron microprobe techniques. The major glass type forms a strong cluster around a mean value corresponding to Highland basalt (anorthositic gabbro) with 70% normative feldspar. Minor glass groups have the compositions of mare basalts and of low-K Fra Mauro type basalts. The glass data indicate that Highland basalt is the major rock type in the highlands north of Mare Fecunditatis.
Approximately 180 glasses in each of three Apollo 15 soils have been analyzed for nine elements. Cluster analysis techniques allow the recognition of preferred glass compositions that are equated with parent rock compositions. Green glass rich in Fe and Mg, poor in Al and Ti may be derived from deep-seated pyroxenitic material now present at the Apennine Front. Fra Mauro basalt (KREEP) is most abundant in the LM soil and is tentatively identified as ray material from the Aristillus-Autolycus area. Highland basalt (anorthositic gabbro), believed to be derived from the lunar highlands, has the same composition as at other landing sites, but is less abundant. The Apennine Front is probably not true highland material but may contain a substantial amount of material with the composition of Fra Mauro basalt, but lacking the high-K content.
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Extensive microprobe analyses have been made of pyroxenes, plagioclases, olivines, opaque minerals, and glasses in two 0.025 g lunar samples returned from the Luna 16 mission, with the aim to characterize the Mare Fecunditatis regolith. No major differences were found between the near surface soil horizon A and horizon D at approximately 30 cm depth. Resulting characteristics of the mineral examined are presented and discussed.
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Electron microprobe analyses are presented for nine elements in 250 glasses and 434 pyroxenes, eight elements in 113 olivines, and six elements in 354 feldspars, 35 spinels, and 159 ilmenites. All grains are from the 125-425 micron fraction of horizon A and horizon D soil from the Luna 16 sample. A norm is presented for each glass analysis and the structural formula is calculated for each mineral analysis.
Compositions of glasses in the Apollo 14 soil correspond to four types of Fra Mauro basalts, to mare basalts and soils, and, in minor amounts, to gabbroic anorthosite and potash granite. The Fra Mauro basalts can be related by simple low pressure crystal-liquid fractionation that implies a parent composition like that of Apollo 14 sample 14310.
An attempt has been made to chemically characterize the basalts from four islands, Rhum, Eigg, Canna, and Muck that, together with Skye, comprise the Inner Hebrides. The basalts are shown to be chemically distinct from tertiary basalts described from the Faroes and Iceland, but have the low concentrations of Rb, Sr found in some mildly alkaline basalts dredged from the Atlantic. Possible evolution of these rocks is discussed.