Mineralogical studies of Apollo 12 samples
Petrography and mineral composition of Apollo 12 crystalline rocks
Adler, I.↗
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Composition and grain-size characteristics of fines from the Apollo 12 double-core tube
Petrography, mineral composition and grain size distribution of Apollo 12 lunar fines
Bird, M. L.↗
Geology of Hadley Rille
The regional setting, external and internal shape, and materials of Hadley Rille near the Apollo 15 landing site are described. The petrography presented includes lithologies, regolith, talus, and outcrops. The stratigraphy exposed on the rille wall is also considered.
Howard, K. A.↗
Contributions to Astrogeology: Geology of the lunar crater volcanic field, Nye County, Nevada
The Lunar Crater volcanic field in east-central Nevada includes cinder cones, maars, and basalt flows of probably Quaternary age that individually and as a group resemble some features on the moon. Three episodes of volcanism are separated by intervals of relative dormancy and erosion. Changes in morphology of cinder cones, degree of weathering, and superposition of associated basalt flows provide a basis for determining the relative ages of the cones. A method has been devised whereby cone heights, base radii, and angles of slope are used to determine semiquantitatively the age relationships of some cinder cones. Structural studies show that cone and crater chains and their associated lava flows developed along fissures and normal faults produced by tensional stress. The petrography of the basalts and pyroclastics suggests magmatic differentiation at depth which produced interbedded subalkaline basalts, alkali-olivine basalts, and basanitoids. The youngest flows in the field are basanitoids.
Scott, D. H.↗
Geologic setting and petrology of Apollo 15 anorthosite /15415/.
The geological setting, petrography and history of this Apollo 15 lunar rock sample are discussed, characterizing the sample as coarse-grained anorthosite composed largely of calcic plagioclase with small amounts of three pyroxene phases. The presence of shattered and granulated minerals in the texture of the rock is traced to two or more fragmentation events, and the presence of irregular bands of coarsely recrystallized plagioclase and minor pyroxene crossing larger plagioclase grains is traced to an earlier thermal metamorphic event. It is pointed out that any of these events may have affected apparent radiometric ages of elements in this rock. A comparative summarization of data suggests that this rock is the least-deformed member of a suite of similar rocks ejected from beneath the regolith at Spur crater.
Wilshire, H. G.↗
The geologic evolution of the moon
A synthesis of pre- and post-Apollo 11 studies is presented to produce an outline of the moon's geologic evolution from three lines of evidence: (1) relative ages of lunar landforms and rock types, (2) absolute ages of returned lunar samples, and (3) petrography, chemistry, and isotopic ratios of lunar rocks and soils. It is assumed that the ray craters, circular mare basins, and most intermediate circular landforms are primarily of impact origin, although many other landforms are volcanic or of hybrid origin. The moon's evolution is divided into four main stages, each including several distinct but overlapping events or processes.
Lowman, P. D., Jr.↗
Spectral reflectance of 72275 from Boulder 1, Station 2, Apollo 17
Spectral reflectance measurements were made of samples 72275,103 (chip) and 72275,98 (saw cuttings). Both the chips and the cuttings consist mainly of friable feldspathic breccia. Sample 72275,103, a chip taken from eastend piece 72275,27, is rich in gray polymict breccia. The saw cuttings were derived from the entire rock, but they are probably strongly biased toward the friable feldspathic matrix material that has been preferentially disaggregated. The spectra of both samples show two prominent absorption bands arising from Fe2(+) in pyroxene. The depths of these bands are large enough to preclude the presence of much glass or opaque material in the samples. From the spectral properties alone, it is clear that the samples are not soil breccias nor vitric breccias, as, of course, has been verified by petrography. The wavelengths of the principal absorption bands plot on the pyroxene trend, indicating that orthopyroxene is spectrally dominant.
Adams, J. B.↗
An atlas of volcanic ash
Volcanic ash samples collected from a variety of recent eruptions were studied, using petrography, chemical analyses, and scanning electron microscopy to characterize each ash type and to relate ash morphology to magma composition and eruption type. The ashes are best placed into two broad genetic categories: magnetic and hydrovolcanic (phreatomagmatic). Ashes from magmatic eruptions are formed when expanding gases in the magma form a froth that loses its coherence as it approaches the ground surface. During hydrovolcanic eruptions, the magma is chilled on contact with ground or surface waters, resulting in violent steam eruptions. Within these two genetic categories, ashes from different magma types can be characterized. The pigeon hole classification used here is for convenience; there are eruptions which are driven by both phreatic and magmatic gases.
Heiken, G.↗
Apollo 16 stratigraphy - The ANT hills, the Cayley Plains, and a pre-Imbrian regolith
A total of 645 particles in the 1 to 2 mm size range has been classified in the Apollo 16 soil samples 60602,3, 61242,7, 66042,4, 67602,13, and 69942,13. Five major categories of lithic fragments recognized in these samples include (1) an anorthositic/noritic/troctolitic, or ANT suite, (2) light-matrix breccias, (3) poikiloblastic noritic/anorthositic fragments, (4) spinel-troctolites, and (5) feldspathic basalts. The petrography and phase chemistry of the lithic fragments are discussed along with results of the fragment census and the stratigraphy of the Apollo 16 site.
Taylor, G. J.↗
Lunar highland rock types: Their implications for impact induced fractionation
The first step in a petrologic study must be a classification based on observed textures and mineralogy. Lunar rocks, may be classified into three major groups: (1) coarse-grained igneous rocks, (2) fine-grained igneous rocks and (3) breccias. Group 1 is interpreted as primitive lunar crustal rocks that display various degrees of crushing and/or annealing. Group 2 is interpreted as volcanic rocks. Group 3 is interpreted as resulting from impacts on the lunar surface and is subdivided on the basis of matrix textures into fragmental breccias, crystalline breccias that have been annealed, and crystalline breccias with igneous matrices. A synthesis of the relevant data concerning lunar highlands polymict breccias from the fields of petrography, chemistry, photogeology, and impact studies compels the prediction that the breccias should have homogeneous matrices from rock to rock within regions of the highlands of limited size where impact mixing has been efficient and extensive.
Phinney, W. C.↗
Interdisciplinary application and interpretation of EREP data within the Susquehanna River Basin
The author has identified the following significant results. It has become that lineaments seen on Skylab and ERTS images are not equally well defined, and that the clarity of definition of a particular lineament is recorded somewhat differently by different interpreters. In an effort to determine the extent of these variations, a semi-quantitative classification scheme was devised. In the field, along the crest of Bald Eagle Mountain in central Pennsylvania, statistical techniques borrowed from sedimentary petrography (point counting) were used to determine the existence and location of intensely fractured float rock. Verification of Skylab and ERTS detected lineaments on aerial photography at different scales indicated that the brecciated zones appear to occur at one margin of the 1 km zone of brecciation defined as a lineament. In the Lock Haven area, comparison of the film types from the SL4 S190A sensor revealed the black and white Pan X photography to be superior in quality for general interpretation to the black and white IR film. Also, the color positive film is better for interpretation than the color IR film.
Mcmurtry, G. J.↗
Ultrabasic breccias in layered intrusions - The Rhum complex
Two breccias in the southwest part of the ultrabasic Rhum complex are considered. Aspects of field relations are discussed along with questions regarding the petrography of the matrix. Attention is given to textures and chemical mineralogy, the mechanism of brecciation, matrix magmas, and the possible implications of the findings. It is concluded that the Harris Bay and Ard Mheall ultrabasic breccias formed by brecciation due to the intrusion of feldspathic peridotite magmas.
Donaldson, C. H.↗
Impact-induced fractionation in the lunar highlands
A synthesis of the relevant data concerning lunar highland polymict breccias from the fields of petrography, chemistry, photogeology, and impact studies compels the prediction that the breccias should have homogeneous matrices from rock to rock within regions of the highlands of limited size where impact mixing has been efficient and extensive. But the matrices of returned breccias, even from one landing site, display a wide range in composition. This incompatibility between prediction and observation is a paradox that may be resolved by a process that acts after impact mixing to cause a differentiation of the breccia compositions. Partial melting of the local surficial material, and separation of melt and residue in ejecta and/or fall-back blankets, is compatible with the reviewed data and may resolve the paradox.
Warner, J. L.↗
Petrology of the highlands massifs at Taurus-Littrow - An analysis of the 2-4 mm soil fraction
The petrography, phase chemistry, and Ar-40/Ar-39 ages of 2-4 mm fragments from the soils of both mare and highlands stations sampled by Apollo 17 are studied. It is found that the massifs consist of a complex stratigraphy of interlayered noritic breccias of varying metamorphic grades, melt rocks, and anorthositic rocks. A stratigraphic correlation of the lithologies within the North Massif and the South Massif is carried out. The petrogenesis of rock types with respect to thermal and impact history is discussed. The observed spinel cataclasites may represent relatively deep material sampled by the Serenitatis event.
Bence, A. E.↗
The Igwisi Hills extrusive 'kimberlites'
The petrography and mineral chemistry of volcanic rocks from the Igwisi Hills in Tanzania are discussed. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the Igwisi rocks are extrusive kimberlites: a two-component nature with high P-T minerals in a low P-T matrix; the presence of chrome pyrope, Al enstatite, chrome diopside, chromite and olivine; a highly oxidized, volatile-rich matrix with serpentine, calcite, magnetite, perovskite; high Sr, Zr, and Nb contents; occurrence in a narrow isolated vent within a stable shield area. The Igwisi rocks differ from kimberlite in the lack of magnesian ilmenite, the scarcity of matrix phlogopite, and the overall low alkali content. They apparently contain material from phlogopite-bearing garnet peridotites with a primary mineral assemblage indicative of equilibrium at upper mantle temperatures and pressures. This primary assemblage was brought rapidly to the surface in a gas-charged, carbonate-rich fluid. Rapid upward transport, extrusion, and rapid cooling have tended to prevent reaction between inclusions and the carbonate-rich matrix that might otherwise have yielded a more typical kimberlite.
Reid, A. M.↗
Mare basalts - Crystal chemistry, mineralogy, and petrology
The paper attempts a synthesis of the major-element chemistry, petrography, mineral chemistry, and crystal chemistry of the mare basalts returned by Apollo and Luna missions. A classification of the mare basalts based on major-element chemistry is given, and textural sequences within each major-element group are identified. The mineral chemistry and crystal chemistry of each mineral group are considered within the framework of the major-element groups and the textural sequences. The various classes of models for the origin of the mare basalts and the nature of their source regions are discussed in the context of the major- and trace-element chemistries and experimental investigations.
Papike, J. J.↗
Lunar Science Conference, 7th, Houston, Tex., March 15-19, 1976, Proceedings. Volume 1 - Regolith studies. Volume 2 - Petrogenetic studies of mare and highland rocks. Volume 3 - The moon and other bodies
Attention is given to lunar core studies (multi-core, deep drill, and drive tube), surface soil studies (petrography and geochemistry, light and volatile element studies, and agglutinate related studies), and surfaces process studies. Also considered are mare basalts, with emphasis on mineralogy and petrology, chemical and isotopic studies, and constraints and models of basalt evolution, along with breccia and highland samples with attention given to geochronology, boulders and consortium studies and the formation of highland samples. Remote sensing and photogeology of the moon, crustal bombardment, physical properties of the moon, and comparative planetology are also discussed.
Merrill, R. B.↗
Petrology of 79215 - Brecciation of a lunar cumulate
The paper considers the modal variation and bulk composition, the petrography, and the mineral chemistry of lunar sample 79215, a holocrystalline, nearly monomict breccia that is petrologically and chemically distinct from the majority of lunar highland breccias. The bulk composition of the rock and its REE abundances suggest that the precursor was a plagioclase-olivine cumulate.
Bickel, C. E.↗