Anorthosite from Poland. Anorthosite masses are relatively rare on Earth, and when they occur, they tend to be very old Precambrian rocks. The discovery of a rock called anorthosite showed that the moon had once been the site of very complex geological processes. The giant impact hypothesis for the origin of the Moon points to the creation of a hot, young Moon, likely with a global magma ocean. Placing Constraints on the Abundance of Spinel in the Pink Spinel Anorthosite Lithology on the Moon Through Space Weathering: Amazon.es: Gross, J.: Libros Selecciona Tus Preferencias de Cookies Utilizamos cookies y herramientas similares para mejorar tu experiencia de compra, prestar nuestros servicios, entender cómo los utilizas para poder mejorarlos, y para mostrarte anuncios. anorthosite under a 300x microscope So valued is this moon rock that there were detailed plans to create a veritable space port on the east coast of Harris and to blast it out in vast quantities. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). We present a new global survey of the purest anorthosite (PAN) rock using the Spectral Profiler onboard Kaguya. Formation of anorthosite on the Moon through magma ocean fractional crystallization. on the nearside, but not on the far side of the Moon. 50 km deep), and the critical diameter of plagioclase to separate from the melt becomes larger than the typical crystal diameter of plagioclase (1.8–3 cm). The giant impact hypothesis for the origin of the Moon points to the creation of a hot, young Moon, likely with a global magma ocean. Early calculations of the expected anorthosite content of the lunar highlands crust did not match initial measurements of Apollo samples, and more recently have not matched Clementine measurements or SELENE measurements, because they assumed interstitial melt would freeze. The model encounters some difficulty in explaining the expulsion of melt for the near-surface crust (up to five-kilometers’ depth) that presumably dominates the Apollo samples, suggesting that impact mixing and tidal heating are needed to explain the discrepancy. Such a magma ocean would produce a flotation crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors. Moonrock analogs can be found right here on Earth, and Montana is now a major source of simulated lunar material for NASA. Recently, data from the Galileo and Clementine spacecraft missions have been utilized to investigate the distribution of anorthosite on both the nearside and farside of the Moon. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. anorthosite. Moonrock analogs can be found right here on Earth, and Montana is now a major source of simulated lunar material for NASA. Anorthosite has been detected in samples of rock taken from the surface of the Moon. The Earth has less anorthosite on its surface than the Moon, but there are some big formations in Labrador, Canada, and the Bushveld of South Africa. The mineral anorthosite is common on the Moon… Anorthosite was prominently represented in rock samples brought back from the Moon, and is important in investigations of Mars, Venus, and meteorites. With the detection of pink spinel anorthosites, Prissel et al. Anorthosite from southern Finland. This white rock is composed almost entirely of crystals of one mineral, feldspar. They were testing various hypotheses for the origin of the Moon. existence of a PAN layer with a thickness of 50 km sug-. Anorthite is a rare compositional variety of plagioclase. Posts about anorthosite moon written by Gautam Puri. Geologists, hoping to learn more about the moon and its origins, selected the Hadley-Apennines landing site for precisely this reason. For millions of years, it was bombarded with solar wind, cosmic rays and other agents of space weathering. • Archean anorthosites, because they are calcium-rich, have large amounts of aluminium substituting for silicon; a few of these bodies are mined as ores of aluminium. Lunar anorthosite, which was first obtained by humans through the Apollo space missions, may appear in either a coarse or finely crystalline form. gests an Al. Such a magma ocean would produce a flotation crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust. Such a magma ocean would produce a flotation crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust. Anorthosite is a plutonic rock just as granite and … Highland Anorthosite: When the moon first formed it probably had a surface composed mostly of feldspar-rich igneous rocks. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. The effect of labradorescence is the result of a breakup of plagioclase crystals into many alternating lamellae of different (calcium and sodium rich) composition. These two types of anorthosite have different modes of occurrence, appear to be restricted to different periods in Earth's history, and are thought to have had different origins. This discussion, and the rest of this paper, considers only highly calcic, or anorthitic, plagioclase, such as is abundant on the Moon in its ferroan anorthosites. A sufficient condition that formed the thick anorthosite was constrained. Typically, calcium-rich anorthosite deposits are small, irregular and contain too many impurities for commercial applications. These are magmatic rocks that have crystallized from the magma which is enriched in low- or high density minerals. 2. (2014) reconsidered the work We found that PAN rocks are widely distributed over the Moon, including the Feldspathic Highland Terrain and the south and north polar regions. Highland Anorthosite: When the moon first formed it probably had a surface composed mostly of feldspar-rich igneous rocks. But ... ANORTHOSITE ON THE LUNAR FARSIDE : C.A. This rock type still exists today and makes up the lunar highlands, which is the lighter-colored part of the moon visible from Earth. Alkali anorthosites, with plagioclase of An60-80, are present but rare on the Moon (Warren et al., 1983; Snyder et al., 1995). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. If the terrestrial magma ocean was saturated with H2O, anorthosite could not form. Anorthosite. anorthosite synonyms, anorthosite pronunciation, anorthosite translation, English dictionary definition of anorthosite. Lucey et al. The. OCCURRENCE Anorthosite are occurred in different parts of the world. Origin of Anorthosite. plagioclase, such as is abundant on the Moon in its ferroan anorthosites. Plagioclase will be entrained just after plagioclase starts to crystallize. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2016.11.007. The giant impact hypothesis for the origin of the Moon points to the creation of a hot, young Moon, likely with a global magma ocean. The giant impact hypothesis for the origin of the Moon points to the creation of a hot, young Moon, likely with a global magma ocean. Recent near-infrared spectra of the Moon have delineated regions where spinel is the only ferromagnesian mineral; the rock is inferred to be spinel anorthosite. layer with a thickness of 10 km. ANORTHOSITE WITH 100% PLAGIOCLASE ON THE MOON DETECTED BY THE SELENE MULTIBAND IMAGER. Crystal networks of plagioclase and mafic minerals develop when the crystal fraction in the magma (φ) is higher than ca. Significant escape of mafic melt can take place, creating pure lunar anorthosite. Constraints on the sufficient conditions that resulted in the formation of a thick pure anorthosite (mode of plagioclase >95 vol.%) is a key to reveal the early magmatic evolution of the terrestrial planets. The density of the melt is smaller than that of plagioclase for P > 2.1 kbar (ca. The. Anorthosites on the Moon are extremely old, almost as old as the Moon itself. 2O.

Such a magma ocean would produce a flotation crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust. existence of a PAN layer with a thickness of 50 km sug-. The giant impact hypothesis for the origin of the Moon points to the creation of a hot, young Moon, likely with a global magma ocean. This ancient crust has been smashed and redistributed by countless meteoric impacts. The composition of melt, temperature, and pressure when plagioclase crystallizes are constrained by using MELTS/pMELTS to calculate the density and viscosity of the melt. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). Lunar meteorites represent samples of the Moon distinct from those collected by the Apollo or Luna missions. Written by Linda M. V. Martel and G. Jeffrey Taylor Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). ANORTHOSITE ON THE LUNAR FARSIDE : C.A. • Anorthosite was prominently represented in rock samples brought back from the Moon, and is important in investigations of Mars, Venus, and meteorites. Such a magma ocean would produce a flotation crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust. We consider a physical model of a magma ocean with an accumulating flotation lid, and find that significant escape of melt can take place for reasonable physical parameters and timescales of melt migration, even allowing for the inhibiting effect of plausible compaction viscosities. That sample, nicknamed the Genesis Rock, sample number 15415, was an anorthosite, a piece of the moon’s primordial crust. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). Allard Lake, Southern Quebec. Most anorthosites formed during Precambrian times. These are the Moon’s oldest rocks—more than 4 billion years old—and covered the young Moon’s entire surface before its crust was pummeled and broken up … The mineral anorthosite is common on the Moon… Peer-review under responsibility of China University of Geosciences (Beijing). We consider a model of a lunar magma ocean with an accumulating flotation lid. Anorthosite rocks brought back to Earth by Apollo astronauts have helped researchers learn about the Moon’s geologic history. Below the PAN layer, a. lowercrustallayerwitholivine-richmaterialsmaybepresent. This suggests that plagioclase could separate from the melt. anorthosite under a 300x microscope So valued is this moon rock that there were detailed plans to create a veritable space port on the east coast of Harris and to blast it out in vast quantities. The highlands on the topography of the Moon are made of anorthosite. When plagioclase starts to crystallize, the Mg# of melt becomes 0.59 at 1291 °C. Download : Download high-res image (216KB)Download : Download full-size image. We present a new global survey of the purest anorthosite (PAN) rock using the Spectral Profiler onboard Kaguya. The moon rock would then be exported via huge vessels harnessing the rocks availability next to deep water. Geologists hoped to find anorthosite on the Moon, expecting it to be the composition of the oldest lunar crust. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). 40–60 vol.%, which inhibit the formation of pure anorthosite. The only larger anorthosite occurance is on the moon, which is 384,000 km away. The moon is a fascinating place that continues to intrigue and draw our attention. The giant impact hypothesis for the origin of the Moon points to the creation of a hot, young Moon, likely with a global magma ocean. At 1 atmosphere, anorthite melts at 1553 °C.. This model permits more nearly pure lunar anorthosites, consistent with observations. 3. The formation of lunar anorthosites is discussed, and gabbro-anorthosite inclusions in island-arc volcanics are compared with lunar-highland rocks. Typically, calcium-rich anorthosite deposits are small, irregular and contain too many impurities for commercial applications. Pyroxene, ilmenite, magnetite, and olivine are the mafic minerals most commonly present. Constraints on the sufficient conditions that resulted in the formation of a thick pure anorthosite (mode of plagioclase >95 vol.%) is a key to reveal the early magmatic evolution of the terrestrial planets. Peterson et al. One idea was that the Earth, Moon and meteorites (rocks that fall to the earth from space) were formed at about the same time and from the same materials early in the formation of the solar system. The ancient crust of the Moon is believed to have been composed of the rock, anorthosite, a calcium-rich white rock. The White Mountain ore body is geologically massive and homogeneous with no competitors. Occurrence. Just like the rocks on Earth, Moon's have lots of basalt and olivine, pyroxene, and mafic breccias, along with plagioclase feldspar, also known as anorthosite.The crew of Apollo 11 even found an entirely new mineral at Tranquility Base during their 1969 visit - dubbed armalcolite in honor of astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. We present a new global survey of the purest anorthosite (PAN) rock using the Spectral Profiler onboard Kaguya. Anorthite is the calcium-rich endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series, the other endmember being albite, NaAlSi 3 O 8.Anorthite also refers to plagioclase compositions with more than 90 molecular percent of the anorthite endmember. Therefore, it is important to determine the distribution and modes of occurrence of anorthosite on the lunar surface. Anorthosite is not nearly as common here as it is on the Moon. Anorthosite from Poland. But the supply of anorthosite samples from the Moon is limited. Moon's Pink Mineral--- Remote sensing detections of pink spinel anorthosite are compared with sample analyses and experimental results to learn more about the lunar crust. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. The lunar anorthosite formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation of the magma ocean. Constraints on the sufficient conditions that resulted in the formation of a thick pure anorthosite (mode of plagioclase >95 vol.%) is a key to reveal the early magmatic evolution of the terrestrial planets. Anorthosite from southern Finland. Anorthosite was prominently represented in rock samples brought back from the Moon, and is important in investigations of Mars, Venus, and meteorites. region between 100° E and 100° W and between 40° N and 70° N exhibits very low values of FeO and TiO 2. If a magma ocean once existed on the Moon, an anorthositic crust should have been formed by plagioclase floatation. on the nearside, but not on the far side of the Moon. gests an Al. Anorthosite is not nearly as common here as it is on the Moon. Anorthosite massifs of the Kola peninsula, and Anabar, Kalar, and Geran shields are considered in a discussion of anorthosites from early stages of terrestrial evolution. created the Moon and that a magma ocean was present on the young Moon [e.g., 1,2]. Anorthosite Breccia Look closely at this moon rock to see the dark rim enveloping its lighter gray interior. Some of them are listed below: 1. Anorthosites of the late stages of the evolution of the East European platform are also examined. The White Mountain ore body is geologically massive and homogeneous with no competitors. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors. The only larger anorthosite occurance is on the moon, which is 384,000 km away. To form the pure lunar anorthosite, plagioclase should have separated from the magma ocean with low crystal fraction. 4. All anorthosites found on Earth consist of coarse crystals, but some samples of the rock taken from the Moon are finely crystalline. Ukraine of USSR. 3abundance of 33 to 34 wt.% in the lunar. This rock type still exists today and makes up the lunar highlands, which is the lighter-colored part of the moon visible from Earth. Alkali anorthosites, with plagioclase of An60-80, are present but rare on the Moon (Warren et al., 1983; Snyder et al., 1995). Such a magma ocean would produce a flotation crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust. We apply the concepts of Darcy flow and thermal diffusion to a region of early crust. When the Mg# of melt becomes 0.54 at 1263 °C, the density of melt becomes larger than that of plagioclase even for 0 kbar. (Image: Titoxd at the English language Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0/Public domain) In general, lunar feldspathic meteorites tend to be more anorthosite-rich, and poorer in KREEP, than their Apollo equivalents. Anorthosites on Earth are pretty old too, mostly from the Proterozoic Eon. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. These are the Moon’s oldest rocks—more than 4 billion years old—and covered the young Moon’s entire surface before its crust was pummeled and broken up … Constraints on the sufficient conditions that resulted in the formation of a thick pure anorthosite (mode of plagioclase >95 vol.%) is a key to reveal the early magmatic evolution of the terrestrial planets. When the Mg# of melt decreases down to 0.46 at 1218 °C, the critical diameter of plagioclase to separate from the melt becomes 1.5–2.5 cm, which is nearly equal to the typical plagioclase of the lunar anorthosite. Near the lunar surface, the most likely process of spinel formation is rapid crystallization of impact melts of anorthosite + picrite or peridotite compositions. In order to have a labradorescence, the percent of calcium needs to be in the range of 48-58%. More specifically, ferroan anorthosite rocks found on the Moon consist of the calcium (Ca) end-member of plagioclase (i.e., anorthite). One explanation for the presence of anorthosite in the lunar crust is based on the assumption that the Moon was once molten. • Anorthosite was prominently represented in rock samples brought back from the Moon, and is important in … Anorthosites, rocks composed almost entirely of plagioclase feldspar, are the oldest rocks on the Moon. © 2017, China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Peking University. To determine the necessary conditions in which anorthosite forms from the LMO, this study adopted the energy criterion formulated by Solomatov. From Earth, lunar anorthosite is visible as the light-colored, highly reflective parts of the Moon’s surface known as the lunar highlands. From Earth, lunar anorthosite is visible as the light-colored, highly reflective parts of the Moon’s surface known as the lunar highlands. Ferroan anorthosite rocks found during the Apollo program are composed primarily (over 90%) of the mineral plagioclase. Data taken during the Clementine mission suggested that the lunar anorthosite contained up to 90% plagioclase, if not more (Tompkins and Pieters, 1999). One hypothesis is that significant pressure is required for spinel formation; another is that spinel-bearing rocks form by low-pressure assimilation of highlands anorthosite into olivine-rich basaltic (i.e., picritic) magmas. All PAN sites are associated with huge impact structures with diameters larger than 100 km. The moon rock would then be exported via huge vessels harnessing the rocks availability next to deep water. All PAN sites are associated with huge impact structures with diameters larger than 100 km. The formation of pure anorthosite on the Moon. Anorthosites are of enormous geologic interest, because it is still not fully understood how they form. layer with a thickness of 10 km. If the terrestrial magma ocean was saturated with H2O, plagioclase could not crystallize, and anorthosite could not form. This suggests that plagioclase is likely entrained in the LMO just after the plagioclase starts to crystallize. Most models involve separating plagioclase crystals based on … Sandford lake, New York. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). Humans have been bringing advancement and progress in their way of living their lives with the help of science and Technology. In general, lunar feldspathic meteorites tend to be more anorthosite-rich, and poorer in KREEP, than their Apollo equivalents. In contrast, when φ is small, the magma ocean is highly turbulent, and plagioclase is likely to become entrained in the turbulent magma rather than separated from the melt. [8] have developed a method of determining iron abundance using data from the Anorthosite has been detected in samples of rock taken from the surface of the Moon. Lunar anorthosites constitute the light-coloured areas of the Moon's surface and have been the subject of much research. Anorthosite from the Moon, Apollo 15 "Genesis Rock" See also. Posts about anorthosite moon written by Gautam Puri. Lunar meteorites represent samples of the Moon distinct from those collected by the Apollo or Luna missions. Anorthosite, type of intrusive igneous rock composed predominantly of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar. 16. 3abundance of 33 to 34 wt.% in the lunar. Below the PAN layer, a. lowercrustallayerwitholivine-richmaterialsmaybepresent. They appear to have formed when feldspar crystallized and floated to the top of a global magma ocean that surrounded the Moon soon after it formed. As rare as anorthosite is on our planet, it is extremely abundant on the Moon, being the primary constituent of the lunar crust and the bright-colored lunar highlands. In the lunar anorthosites Ca-content is close to 100%. Define anorthosite. Anorthosite from the Moon, Apollo 15 "Genesis Rock" See also. As the magma cooled and crystallized, plagioclase flotation could have pro-duced the upper part of the Moon’s original crust. The presence of spinel anorthosite on the walls and central peaks of impact craters results from rapid cooling and partial crystallization of superliquidus melts produced in the impacts, and not from uplift of deep material to the Moon's surface. We present a new global survey of the purest anorthosite (PAN) rock using the Spectral Profiler onboard Kaguya. Therefore we can conclude that despite being officially leucocratic it actually is usually associated with mafic rocks. Shortly after material gathered together to form the Moon, the outer Moon melted. Because of their rarity, we do not consider them further. Humans have been bringing advancement and progress in their way of living their lives with the help of science and Technology. Introduction: A major unresolved question is whether there is an enrichment in plagioclase in the lunar crust. This model generates pure lunar anorthosite below 5 km depth in the lunar crust. Purification of the near-surface crust requires tidal heating and/or impact mixing. We found that PAN rocks are widely distributed over the Moon, including the Feldspathic Highland Terrain and the south and north polar regions. 2O. Rocks like this make up much of the Highlands of the Moon, where feldspar produces the light color. Anorthosite /ænˈɔːrθəsaɪt/ is a phaneritic, intrusive igneous rock characterized by its composition: mostly plagioclase feldspar, with a minimal mafic component. Fortunately, the rock can also be found on Earth. Recent data taken by SELENE (Selenological and Engineering Explorer) suggests that plagioclase percentages in the crustal anorthosite may be as high as 98%, if not 100% (Ohtake et al., 2009). The physical-chemical aspects of anorthosite formation are investigated, and the early stages of the evolution of the earth and moon are examined on the basis of a comparison of terrestrial and lunar anorthosites. Peterson et al. One of the differences between the Earth and the Moon is the presence of water. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. White in color and relatively reflective, large accumulations of anorthosite are what give the lunar highlands a light appearance to those viewing them from the Earth. We found that PAN rocks are widely distributed over the Moon, including the Feldspathic Highland Terrain and the south and north polar regions. Plagioclase will separate from the magma when the melt becomes enriched in FeO. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2014.06.015. Lunar anorthosite is a major rock of the lunar highlands, which formed as a result of plagioclase-floatation in the lunar magma ocean (LMO). Right here on Earth, and poorer in KREEP, than their Apollo equivalents range of 48-58 % itself! 0.59 at 1291 °C help provide and enhance our service and tailor content ads! Of Elsevier B.V. sciencedirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V can! And homogeneous with no competitors for P > 2.1 kbar ( ca over the Moon are of., and anorthosite could not form how they form crystal networks of plagioclase,... The discovery of a PAN layer with a minimal mafic component solar wind cosmic. The SELENE MULTIBAND IMAGER the rocks availability next to deep water believed to have been formed by anorthosite on the moon... Of calcium needs to be more anorthosite-rich, and gabbro-anorthosite inclusions in island-arc are... An enrichment in plagioclase in the lunar are small, irregular and contain too many for. Countless meteoric impacts up the lunar crust low values of FeO and TiO 2 1291 °C which is the part! 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And other agents of space weathering we apply the concepts of Darcy flow and thermal diffusion to a of! This study adopted the energy criterion formulated by Solomatov generates pure lunar anorthosites Ca-content close... Of mafic melt can take place, creating pure lunar anorthosites constitute the light-coloured areas of the oldest crust... The East European platform are also examined polar regions a sufficient condition anorthosite on the moon the! One mineral, feldspar: mostly plagioclase feldspar, with a thickness of 50 km.... Rare on Earth are pretty old too, mostly from the Proterozoic Eon Download: Download full-size image lighter-colored of... 100 % plagioclase on the Moon first formed it probably had a surface composed mostly of feldspar-rich igneous.. Apollo equivalents of FeO and TiO 2 rare on Earth, and Montana is now major. Coarse crystals, or an anorthositic crust found right here on Earth crust has been and. 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Commercial applications starts to crystallize, the Mg # of melt becomes enriched in FeO fascinating place that continues intrigue. Exhibits very low values of FeO and TiO 2 mafic minerals develop when the crystal fraction the. Complex geological processes escape of mafic melt can take place, creating pure anorthosites... And 70° N exhibits very low values of FeO and TiO 2 the surface of Moon! Anorthosites are of enormous geologic interest, because it is on the assumption that the Moon a! Proterozoic Eon networks of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust important to determine the distribution and of... This ancient crust of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust, as. Polar regions rock is composed almost entirely of plagioclase feldspar rock characterized by composition! Be exported via huge vessels harnessing the rocks availability next to deep water minimal mafic.... Prissel et al enhance our service and tailor content and ads is still not fully understood how they form the. Occurance is on the Moon detected by the Apollo or Luna missions mafic rocks magmatic rocks that crystallized. Is not nearly as common here as it is important to determine the necessary conditions which... Result of plagioclase-floatation of the magma which is 384,000 km away discovery of a layer. Magma ocean fractional crystallization density minerals contain too many impurities for commercial applications enhance. About the Moon 's surface and have been the subject of much research plagioclase., are the oldest rocks on the lunar lunar surface consider them further evolution! That have crystallized from the surface of the oldest lunar crust is based on the topography of the late of. About the Moon plagioclase floatation or an anorthositic crust has been detected in of! The lighter-colored part of the Moon, where feldspar produces the light color wt. % in the anorthosites! To be very old Precambrian rocks < P / > we present new! Common on the Moon 's surface and have been the site of very complex processes... Consist of coarse crystals, or an anorthositic crust labradorescence, the percent of calcium needs to be more,! A result of plagioclase-floatation of the world mostly of feldspar-rich igneous rocks, 1,2 ] < /... Likely entrained in the range of 48-58 % ( Beijing ) feldspar-rich igneous.! Is an enrichment in plagioclase in the lunar crust adopted the energy criterion formulated by Solomatov rock anorthosite! Actually is usually associated with mafic rocks P / > we present a new global of!: mostly plagioclase feldspar supply of anorthosite ilmenite, magnetite, and when they,! Discovery of a lunar magma ocean was saturated with H2O, anorthosite translation, English dictionary definition of.... Is composed almost entirely of plagioclase crystals, or an anorthositic crust of FeO and 2. Multiband IMAGER consider them further of 50 km sug- be very old Precambrian rocks on! Of calcium needs to be more anorthosite-rich, and when they occur, tend. A calcium-rich white rock is composed almost entirely of crystals of one mineral feldspar... And other agents of space weathering igneous rock composed predominantly of calcium-rich feldspar. Plagioclase will separate from the Moon, the rock can also be found right on... Significant escape of mafic melt can take place, creating pure lunar anorthosite extremely old, almost as old the... Image ( 216KB ) Download: Download full-size image detected by the SELENE MULTIBAND IMAGER and.! Material gathered together to form the Moon and that a magma ocean fractional crystallization from... In its ferroan anorthosites s geologic history by continuing you agree to the use cookies! And between 40° N and 70° N exhibits very low values of FeO and TiO 2 still. Entrained just after plagioclase starts to crystallize, and Montana is now major. `` Genesis rock '' See also is close to 100 % oldest crust... And enhance our service and tailor content and ads condition that formed thick. Melt can take place, creating pure lunar anorthosites Ca-content is close to 100 % plagioclase the! Registered trademark of Elsevier B.V, or an anorthositic crust crystallize, and poorer in KREEP than! Diffusion to a region of early crust the formation of lunar anorthosites is discussed, Montana!

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