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At least 73 records · Page 4

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NASA NTRS1978

Genesis of Apollo 15 olivine normative mare basalts - Trace element correlations

Chemical and petrographic studies of 21 Apollo 15 rake basalts are reported; one pyroxene-phyric basalt, four olivine-phyric basalts, 15 olivine microgabbros, and one brecciated basalt are distinguished. The olivine-normative basalts (i.e., all samples but the pyroxene-phyric basalt) show correlation trends of La/Sm vs. La and Sm/Eu vs. La that are within the observed dispersion ranges of La/Sm and Sm/Eu ratios for a single lava flow. Trace element fractionation trends in the sample could be due to mobilization (perhaps by filter pressing) of fractionated residual liquid during the crystallization of a lava flow. However, it is also possible that the suite of olivine-normative basalts represents several basalt flows produced by partial melting of cumulate layers having interstitial liquids with variable trace-element compositions.

Ma, M.-S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Petrology of mare-type basalt clasts from consortium breccia 73255

Breccia 73255 contains sparse small clasts of basalts that have mare affinities; the basalts are members of a single differentiated suite. The clasts have been fractured throughout and locally granulated. Textural and compositional evidence indicates that the fracturing and granulation were produced by the 73255 breccia-forming event, and this event took place before the basalts had completely solidified. Thus, it appears that the eruption of the basalts took place at about the same time as the formation of the 73255 breccia, about 3.9 b.y. ago. The mineral assemblages and modes of the basalt clasts are those typical of mare basalts, but the clasts are not identical in detail with any basalts returned from the mare surfaces. They are instead most similar to the 14053-type basalts from the Apollo 14 site.

James, O. B.↗

NASA NTRS1987

On the connection between mare basalts and picritic volcanic glasses

The liquid lines of descent were calculated for low-pressure equilibrium and fractional crystallization of mare basaltic liquids in order to examine the postulated link between picritic volcanic glasses and mare basalts. The models of Longhi (1977, 1982) were modified by including expressions for the armalcolite/ilmenite surface boundary and the Cr-spinel liquidus surface, average molar partition coefficients for armalcolite/liquid pairs, and new experimental data of Longhi and Pan (1987). The results indicate that, with two exceptions, mare basalts and picritic volcanic glasses are not related by simple, linear-surface crystallization processes. However, the compositions of Luna 24 ferrobasalt and Apollo 11 high-K basalts could be closely matched with the lines of liquid descent of certain green and orange picritic glasses, respectively. The calculations also show that the picritic magmas would have fractionated to produce basalts with bulk and mineral compositions similar to those of mare basalts, supporting the hypothesis that mare basalts have fractionated compositions and that the small number of observed linkages between basalts and picritic parents is a consequence of limited sampling.

Longhi, John↗

NASA NTRS1989

High alumina (HA) and very high potassium (VHK) basalt clasts from Apollo 14 breccias. II - Whole rock geochemistry - Further evidence for combined assimilation and fractional crystallization within the lunar crust

The understanding of basalt petrogenesis at the Apollo 14 site has increased markedly due to the study of 'new' samples from breccia 'pull-apart' efforts. Whole-rock compositions of 26 new high alumina (HA) and 7 very high potassium (VHK) basalts emphasize the importance of combined assimilation and fractional crystallization in a lunar regime. Previously formulated models for HA and VHK basalt petrogenesis are modified in order to accomodate these new data, although modeling parameters are essentially the same. The required range in HA basalt compositions is generated by the assimilation of KREEP by a 'primitive' parental magma. The VHK basalts can be generated by three parental HA basalts assimilating granite. Results indicate that VHK basalt compositions are dominated by the parental magma, and only up to 8 percent granite assimilation is required. This modeling indicates that at least three VHK basalt flows must be present at the Apollo 14 site.

Neal, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd chronology of an Apollo 17 KREEP basalt

The paper determines Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr mineral isochrons for an Apollo 17 KREEP (pigeonite) basalt clast from breccia 72275 collected from Boulder 1, Station 2 in the Valley of Taurus-Littrow. Sm-Nd analyses of the basalt yield a precise mineral isochron age of 4.08 +/-0.07 Ga for lambda(Sm-147) = 0.00654/Ga. The concordancy of Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr ages for the basalt suggests that it crystallized about 4.08 Ga ago. Distinct ages and initial Sr isotopic ratios for Apollo 17 KREEP basalts and Apollo 14 and 15 KREEP suggest that these two types of KREEP basalts were not derived from the same source. Apollo 17 KREEP basalts are contemporaneous with some Apollo 14 aluminous mare basalts. The ages and Sr and Nd isotopic data suggest that these two different types of basalts were produced from sources having similar Rb/Sr ratios but different Sm/Nd ratios.

Shih, C.-Y.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Searching for neuKREEP: An EMP study of Apollo 11 Group A basalts

The Apollo 11 and 17 landing sites are characterized by the presence of high-Ti basalts (TiO2 greater than 6 percent). The Group A basalts of Apollo 11 have elevated K compositions (greater than 2000 ppm); and are enriched in incompatible trace elements relative to the other types of high-Ti basalt found in the region. These unique basalts also are the youngest of all high-Ti basalts, with an age of 3.56 +/- 0.02 Ga. Recent modelling of the Apollo 11 Group A basalts by Jerde et al. has demonstrated that this unique variety of high-Ti basalt may have formed through fractionation of a liquid with the composition of the Apollo 11 orange glass, coupled with assimilation of evolved material (dubbed neuKREEP and having similarities to lunar quartz monzodiorite). Assimilation of this material would impart its REE signature on the liquid, resulting in the elevated REE abundances observed. Minerals such as whitlockite which contain a large portion of the REE budget can be expected to reflect the REE characteristics of the assimilant. To this end, an examination of the whitlockite present in the Apollo 11 Group A basalts was undertaken to search for evidence of the neuKREEP material assimilated.

Jerde, Eric A.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Li, B - Behavior in Lunar Basalts During Shock and Thermal Metamorphism: Implications for H2O in Martian Magmas

Introduction: The water-content of Martian magmas is a topic of debate among researchers. Some Martian basalts are characterized with melt inclusions of biotite, apatite and amphibole; phases typically associated with hydration reactions on Earth [1-3]. However, the H-content of melt inclusions from these basalts is low, and bulk-rock H2O-contents range from a meager 0.013 to 0.035 wt. % in Shergotty [4]. Nonetheless, researchers note that low present-day water contents do not preclude a once hydrous past [5]. Since light lithophile elements (LLE), such as Li and B, partition into aqueous fluids at T > 350 C, workers proposed that Li-B depletions in pyroxene rims of Nakhlite and Shergottite basalts reflect the loss of several weight percent water from Martian magmas during crystallization [6]. Since similar depletions were observed in pyroxene rims from completely dry lunar basalts, it is likely that alternative mechanisms also contribute to the distribution of elements such as Li and B [7]. Given that many Martian basalts have experienced considerable shock pressures (15-45 GPa), it is possible that shock and subsequent thermal metamorphism may have influenced the volatile element records of these basalts [8]. In order to better understand the distribution of Li and B, we are studying the effects of crystal chemistry, shock pressure, and thermal metamorphism in pyroxenes from lunar basalts. Below, we discuss results from experimentally shocked and thermally metamorphosed Apollo 11, 10017 (A-11) and Apollo 17, 75035 (A-17) basalts.

Chaklader, Johny↗

NASA NTRS2007

Valence State Partitioning of Cr and V Between Pyroxene - Melt: Estimates of Oxygen Fugacity for Martian Basalt QUE 94201

Several studies, using different oxybarometers, have suggested that the variation of fO2 in martian basalts spans about 3 log units from approx. IW-1 to IW+2. The relatively oxidized basalts (e.g., pyroxene-phyric Shergotty) are enriched in incompatible elements, while the relatively reduced basalts (e.g., olivine-phyric Y980459) are depleted in incompatible elements. A popular interpretation of the above observations is that the martian mantle contains two reservoirs; 1) oxidized and enriched, and 2) reduced and depleted. The basalts are thus thought to represent mixing between these two reservoirs. Recently, Shearer et al. determined the fO2 of primitive olivine-phyric basalt Y980459 to be IW+0.9 using the partitioning of V between olivine and melt. In applying this technique to other basalts, Shearer et al. concluded that the martian mantle shergottite source was depleted and varied only slightly in fO2 (IW to IW+1). Thus the more oxidized, enriched basalts had assimilated a crustal component on their path to the martian surface. In this study we attempt to address the above debate on martian mantle fO2 using the partitioning of Cr and V into pyroxene in pyroxene-phyric basalt QUE 94201.

Karner, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS2022

The Zn, S, and Cl Isotope Compositions of Mare Basalts: Implications for the Effects of Eruption Style and Pressure on Volatile Element Stable Isotope Fractionation on the Moon

We compare the stable isotope compositions of Zn, S, and Cl for Apollo mare basalts to better constrain the sources and timescales of lunar volatile loss. Mare basalts have broadly elevated yet limited ranges in δ(66)Zn, δ(34)S, and δ(37)Cl_(SBC+WSC) values of 1.27 ± 0.71, 0.55 ± 0.18, and 4.1 ± 4.0‰, respectively, compared to the silicate Earth at 0.15, –1.28, and 0‰, respectively. We find that the Zn, S, and Cl isotope compositions are similar between the low- and high-Ti mare basalts, providing evidence of a geochemical signature in the mare basalt source region that is inherited from lunar formation and magma ocean crystallization. The uniformity of these compositions implies mixing following mantle overturn, as well as minimal changes associated with subsequent mare magmatism. Degassing of mare magmas and lavas did not contribute to the large variations in Zn, S, and Cl isotope compositions found in some lunar materials (i.e., 15‰ in δ(66)Zn, 60‰ in δ(34)S, and 30‰ in δ(37)Cl). This reflects magma sources that experienced minimal volatile loss due to high confining pressures that generally exceeded their equilibrium saturation pressures. Alternatively, these data indicate effective isotopic fractionation factors were near unity. Our observations of S isotope compositions in mare basalts contrast to those for picritic glasses (Saal and Hauri 2021), which vary widely in S isotope compositions from –14.0 to 1.3‰, explained by extensive degassing of picritic magmas under high-P/P_(Sat) values (>0.9) during pyroclastic eruptions. The difference in the isotope compositions of picritic glass beads and mare basalts may result from differences in effusive (mare) and explosive (picritic) eruption styles, wherein the high-gas contents necessary for magma fragmentation would result in large effective isotopic fractionation factors during degassing of picritic magmas. Additionally, in highly vesiculated basalts, the δ(34)S and δ(37)Cl values of apatite grains are higher and more variable than the corresponding bulk-rock values. The large isotopic range in the vesiculated samples is explained by late-stage low-pressure “vacuum” degassing (P/P-(Sat) ~ 0) of mare lavas wherein vesicle formation and apatite crystallization took place post-eruption. Bulk-rock mare basalts were seemingly unaffected by vacuum degassing. Degassing of mare lavas only became important in the final stages of crystallization recorded in apatite—potentially facilitated by cracks/fractures in the crystallizing flow. We conclude that samples with wide-ranging volatile element isotope compositions are likely explained by localized processes, which do not represent the bulk Moon.

Halogens↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Phase Transitions and Melting in the Venusian Basaltic Crust: Implications for Crustal Recycling

Understanding phase transitions and melting in the Venusian crust and the associated changes in density are critical to constrain crustal thickness, recycling, and remelting processes. For example, average surface conditions on Venus of 92 bars and 460 °C correspond to low-grade metamorphic conditions on Earth equivalent to hornfels- and greenschist-facies. Further, the primary igneous mineralogy in the Venusian crust should be replaced by metamorphic minerals over time and potentially melt, as temperatures and pressures increase with depth along geothermal gradients. Here, we use Perple_X (Connolly, 2005), a Gibbs free energy minimization program to calculates table phase equilibria over a range of pressure and temperature conditions for whole-rock compositions of a dry basalt, alkali basalt, and peridotite. Further, we extract mineral abundancies along five geotherms of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 °C/km and calculate the rock density after the extraction of melt. On the coldest geotherm of 5 °C/km, melting would start at ~ 197 km and ~121 km in the basalt and alkali basalt, respectively, and therefore at depths that significantly exceed the estimated thickness of the Venusian crust (8-25 km). A density cross-over, where the crustal density would exceed that of the mantle could potentially induce delamination and is estimated to occur at ~ 40 km for both compositions. On the 10 °C/km geotherm, melting of the basalt starts at 65 km and melt extraction only causes a gradual densification due the formation of initially lower melt proportions. In contrast, the alkali basalt starts to melt at a depth of ~ 57 km and the subsequent densification of the residual composition could trigger delamination at ~ 60km depth. For hotter geotherms (i.e., 25 °C/km gradient), melting would occur at shallower depths of 21 – 23 km. However, the basalt will not get significantly denser than the mantle while the residuum of the alkali basalt would reach a density cross-over at 30 km. Hence, differences in Venusian crustal compositions can significantly influence the thickness of the crust on individual geotherms. Our results demonstrate that phase transitions and melting are strongly dependent on the assumed geotherm and could, combined with geodynamic models, further constrain crustal parameters.

Julia Semprich↗

NASA NTRS1977

Luna 24 - Opaque mineral chemistry of gabbroic and basaltic fragments from Mare Crisium

Spinels and ilmenites are relatively sparse in the Luna 24 gabbro and basalts. Spinel compositions show some affinities to those of spinels in Apollo 12, Apollo 14 and Luna 16 basalts; a characteristic feature is high Al2O3, reaching a maximum of 19.8 wt%. A comparison of spinels in the Luna 24 gabbro with those in other deep-seated lunar intrusive rocks shows a characteristic trend for Fe/Mg. This trend is systematic from gabbro to anorthosite to troctolite and is interpreted to be P-T dependent. Compositions of spinels in the gabbro fall within the Cr/Al trend defined by the spinels of the basalts, but form a Fe/Mg trend parallel to that of the basalts; this relationship suggests that both the gabbro and the basalts are derived from a closely similar source region, with the basalts originating at a slightly greater depth than the gabbro. The spinels in both rock types are considered to have formed at high crustal levels, at low pressures. The Luna 24 data suggest that the compositional discontinuities which exist between chromian spinels and titanian spinels in a large proportion of mare basalts are the result of nucleation of chromian spinels at high crustal levels prior to eruption, and of titanian spinels during melt crystallization at the lunar surface.

Haggerty, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Trace elements in ocean ridge basalts

A study is made of the trace elements found in ocean ridge basalts. General assumptions regarding melting behavior, trace element fractionation, and alteration effects are presented. Data on the trace elements are grouped according to refractory lithophile elements, refractory siderophile elements, and volatile metals. Variations in ocean ridge basalt chemistry are noted both for regional and temporal characteristics. Ocean ridge basalts are compared to other terrestrial basalts, such as those having La/Yb ratios greater than those of chondrites, and those having La/Yb ratios less than those of chondrites. It is found that (1) as compared to solar or chondrite ratios, ocean ridge basalts have low ratios of large, highly-charged elements to smaller less highly-charged elements, (2) ocean ridge basalts exhibit low ratios of volatile to nonvolatile elements, and (3) the transition metals Cr through Zn in ocean ridge basalts are not fractionated more than a factor of 2 or 3 from the chondritic abundance ratios.

Kay, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Chemistry of Apollo 12 mare basalts - Magma types and fractionation processes

Major and trace element data for a large suite of petrographically diverse Apollo 12 mare basalts are presented, and magma types sampled at the Apollo 12 site are characterized. The data confirm earlier classifications of the basalts into olivine, pigeonite, ilmenite, and feldspathic basalts. The olivine and pigeonite basalts are shown to be comagnetic and related by olivine fractionation. The other types, which differ in trace element and isotopic characteristics, are derived from different sources within the lunar interior. The spatial relations between the main basalt types are discussed in terms of local cratering events, and it is suggested that the younger ilmenite basalts overlie the olivine-pigeonite basalts. The role of olivine-dominated near-surface crystal fractionation in causing chemical variation is examined, and a relation between inferred cooling rate and the position of a sample in the fractionation sequence is determined.

Rhodes, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Very low Ti /VLT/ basalts - A new mare rock type from the Apollo 17 drill core

Phaneritic fragments, vitrophyres, and glass beads of a new very low Ti (VLT) mare basalt are found in the Apollo 17 drill core. VLT lithic fragments are characterized by TiO2 content of approximately 0.5%, Mg/(Mg + Fe) of approximately 0.52, CaO/Al2O3 of approximately 0.9, and low alkali content. Although mineral systematics and modal composition of VLT basalt are similar to Apollo 12 and 15 low Ti basalts, VLT basalts cannot be related to these mare basalts by crystal fractionation. Since VLT basalt is isochemical with some of the less mafic green glasses, fractionation of VLT magma from a liquid of green-glass composition is a possibility. Spectral reflectance studies suggest that VLT-type basalts may be relatively common in mare basins.

Vaniman, D. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Planetary basalts - Chemistry and petrology

Recent literature (1975-1978) on planetary basalts is reviewed. Terrestrial basalts are considered in relation to Nd and Sm isotopic studies, magma mixing, chemical and mineralogical heterogeneities in basalt source regions, and partial melting controls on basalt chemistry. Attention is also given to features of mare basalts, eucrites, and comparisons of basalts for the earth, the moon, and the parent body of basaltic achondrites.

Papike, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Geochronology and petrogenesis of Apollo 14 very high potassium mare basalts

Rb-Sr, K-Ar, and Sm-Nd isotopic studies were undertaken for two Apollo 14 very high potassium (VHK) highly radiogenic mare basaltic clasts from breccias 14305 and 14168. Rb-Sr data indicate ages of 3.83 + or - 0.08 b.y., and 3.82 + or - 0.12 b.y. for samples 14305 and 14168 respectively, for lambda(Rb-87) = 0.0 139/b.y. Their corresponding initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios are nearly identical, as well as their Ar-39 to Ar-40 age spectra, and it is proposed that they were derived from the same flow. The Sm-Nd isotopic data of whole rock and mineral separates for the two VHK basalts define an internal isochrone age of 3.94 + or - 0.16 b.y. for lambda (Sm-147) = 0.00654/b.y. and an initial Nd-143/Nd-144 of 0.50673 + or - 21. The similarity in isotopic ages suggests that VHK basalts crystallized from a melt about 3.85 b.y. ago. VHK basalts show very large Rb/Sr fractionation but no significant Sm/Nd fractionation at the time of crystallization. The source material had a Rb/Sr ratio similar to those of Apollo 14 high-Al mare basalts and a nearly chrondritic Sm/Nd ratio. Basalt/granite interaction was found to be responsible for the extreme enrichments of Rb/Sr and K/La during the formation of VHK basalts. It is concluded that K, Rb-rich components of granitic wall rocks in the highland crust were selectively introduced into ascending hot high-Al mare basaltic magma upon contact.

Shih, C.-Y.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Petrogenesis of mesosiderites. I - Origin of mafic lithologies and comparison with basaltic achondrites

New petrologic and trace element data on basaltic and gabbroic clasts in mesosiderites and basaltic achondrites, combined with existing petrologic and trace element data, have served as a basis for interpretation of the petrogenesis of mesosiderite clasts. Compared with the basaltic achondrites, the mesosiderite basaltic and gabbroic clasts contain more abundant modal tridymite and merrilite, and more commonly contain augite as a late magmatic phase. Their pyroxenes tend to be more MgO-rich, and have lower Fe/Mn ratios which are positively correlated with the Fe/Mg ratio. Some of the mesosiderite basaltic and gabbroic clasts contain xenocrystic plagioclase. The basaltic clasts commonly show superchondritic Eu/Sm ratios and slight LREE depletions. The cumulate gabbro clasts are extremely depleted in LIL, have very high Eu/Sm ratios and high Lu/Sm ratios. All of these features can be explained by a model in which the mafic lithologies of mesosiderites were formed by remelting of a mixed basalt-cumulate gabbro-metal source region near the parent body surface.

Mittlefehldt, David W.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The significance of fractional crystallization in the petrogenesis of Apollo 17 Type A and B high-Ti basalts

Whole-rock and mineral analyses of 26 'new' type A and B Apollo 17 basalts are reported. The petrography and mineral chemistry of these basalts are similar to previously reported Apollo 17 basalts. However, these 'new' whole-rock data extend the compositional ranges of previously reported type A and B basalts and require the division of the type B basalts into type B1 and B2 varieties. These three types display similar trends when both major and trace elements are plotted against a fractionation index of Cr/La ratio. Major element compositions of basalts from all three types fall on olivine + Ti oxide control lines. This study demonstrates that Apollo 17 type A, B1, and B2 basalts have a relatively simple petrogenesis, with the only postmagma-generation process being fractional crystallization.

Neal, Clive R.↗