Formation and evolution of a lunar core from ilmenite-rich magma ocean cumulates

Seismic tomography and geochemical evidence for lunar mantle heterogeneity: Comparing with Earth

“…However, the recent, probably present, gas release features were discovered at several locations in and around the PKT (Schultz et al, 2006). Numericalmodeling studies on the lunar thermal history also suggest that the interior of the present Moon contains both thermal and compositional anomalies (Konrad and Spohn, 1997;Zhong et al, 2000;Stegman et al, 2003;Ziethe et al, 2009;de Vries et al, 2010). Taking into Japan Tahiti Afar Lake Victoria Fig.…”

“…6) may reflect the downwelling, ilmenite-rich KREEP materials. In addition, a recent thermo-chemical convection model shows that hot plumes developing from the hot ilmenite core may rise into the mantle from the core-mantle boundary to accommodate the rapid cooling of the core (de Vries et al, 2010). These plumes have temperatures that exceed the solidus temperature of peridotite and cause melt zones, which spread out well below the crust.…”

Dynamics and Thermal History of the Terrestrial Planets, the Moon, and Io

“…This province is in addition a unique geochemical crustal province enriched in incompatible and heat-producing elements; however, the titanium-rich mare basalts lack the KREEP signature ( Figure 9). The later finding argues against the scenario, suggesting the rise of KREEP and ilmenite-rich layer from the CMB to produce the mare basalts (de Vries et al, 2010;Parmentier et al, 2002;Stegman et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2013;Zhong et al, 2000). Wieczorek and Phillips (2000) had argued for a different genetic relationship between the mare basalts and the PKT.…”

“…One group (Konrad and Spohn 1997;Laneuville et al, 2013;Spohn et al, 2001;Ziethe et al, 2009) considers a mantle with uniformly distributed composition and heat-producing elements. Another group (de Vries et al, 2010;Parmentier et al, 2002;Stegman et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2013;Zhong et al, 2000) considers a compositionally stratified mantle including an inhomogeneous distribution of the radioactive heat sources as a consequence of magma ocean cumulate overturn. Another group (de Vries et al, 2010;Parmentier et al, 2002;Stegman et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2013;Zhong et al, 2000) considers a compositionally stratified mantle including an inhomogeneous distribution of the radioactive heat sources as a consequence of magma ocean cumulate overturn.…”

Trace element partitioning between ilmenite, armalcolite and anhydrous silicate melt: Implications for the formation of lunar high-Ti mare basalts

“…Tronche et al, 2010) is thought to have resulted in a gravitationally unstable mineral stratification in the lunar mantle, inducing a mantle overturn that triggered significant mare basalt formation (e.g. Elkins-Tanton et al, 2002;Hess and Parmentier, 1995;de Vries et al, 2010).…”