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The search for lunar mantle rocks exposed on the surface of the Moon

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel P. Moriarty

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    University of Maryland)

  • Nick Dygert

    (University of Tennessee)

  • Sarah N. Valencia

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    University of Maryland)

  • Ryan N. Watkins

    (Planetary Science Institute)

  • Noah E. Petro

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

Abstract

The lunar surface is ancient and well-preserved, recording Solar System history and planetary evolution processes. Ancient basin-scale impacts excavated lunar mantle rocks, which are expected to remain present on the surface. Sampling these rocks would provide insight into fundamental planetary processes, including differentiation and magmatic evolution. There is contention among lunar scientists as to what lithologies make up the upper lunar mantle, and where they may have been exposed on the surface. We review dynamical models of lunar differentiation in the context of recent experiments and spacecraft data, assessing candidate lithologies, their distribution, and implications for lunar evolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel P. Moriarty & Nick Dygert & Sarah N. Valencia & Ryan N. Watkins & Noah E. Petro, 2021. "The search for lunar mantle rocks exposed on the surface of the Moon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24626-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24626-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Yash Srivastava & Amit Basu Sarbadhikari & James M. D. Day & Akira Yamaguchi & Atsushi Takenouchi, 2022. "A changing thermal regime revealed from shallow to deep basalt source melting in the Moon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Tabb C. Prissel & Nan Zhang & Colin R. M. Jackson & Haoyuan Li, 2023. "Rapid transition from primary to secondary crust building on the Moon explained by mantle overturn," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Liang Ding & Ruyi Zhou & Tianyi Yu & Huaiguang Yang & Ximing He & Haibo Gao & Juntao Wang & Ye Yuan & Jia Wang & Zhengyin Wang & Huanan Qi & Jian Li & Wenhao Feng & Xin Li & Chuankai Liu & Shaojin Han, 2024. "Lunar rock investigation and tri-aspect characterization of lunar farside regolith by a digital twin," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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