Major Element Composition of Glasses in Three Apollo 15 Soils

Abstract

Approximately 180 glasses in each of three Apollo 15 soils have been analyzed for nine elements. Cluster analysis techniques allow the recognition of preferred glass compositions that are equated with parent rock compositions Green glass rich in Fe and Mg, poor in Al and Ti may be derived from deep seated pyroxenitic material now present at the Apennine Front. Fra Mauro basalt (KREEP) is most abundant in the LM soil and is tentatively identified as ray material from the Aristillus‐Autolycus area. Highland basalt (anorthositic gabbro), believed to be derived from the lunar highlands, has the same composition as at other landing sites, but is less abundant. The Apennine Front is probably not true highland material but may contain a substantial amount of material with the composition of Fra Mauro basalt, but lacking the high‐K content. Glasses with mare basalt compositions are present in the soils and four subgroups are recognized, one of which is compositionally equivalent to the large Apollo 15 basalt samples

On the origin of impact glass in the Apollo 16 regolith

“…5, 9 and 10), although there are some important differences that we discuss below. In early studies in which compositional clusters were interpreted as representing prevalent rock types of the lunar crust, this composition was know as "highland basalt" or "anorthositic gabbro" (Reid et al, 1972a;Ridley et al, 1973;Wentworth and McKay, 1988;Zellner et al, 2009). A significant proportion, 35%, of the clean glasses are atypical of the feldspathic highlands, however, in being substantially more mafic or richer in incompatible elements.…”

Mapping of Mars O2(1Δ) dayglow

“…From analyses of the lunar samples it was quickly noted that the collection did not include a crystalline igneous rock that had the composition of these melts, specifically, the composition of LKFM (Low-K Fra Mauro basalt, a subset of the melt breccias [Reid et al, 1972]). From analyses of the lunar samples it was quickly noted that the collection did not include a crystalline igneous rock that had the composition of these melts, specifically, the composition of LKFM (Low-K Fra Mauro basalt, a subset of the melt breccias [Reid et al, 1972]).…”

Lunar central peak mineralogy and iron content using the Kaguya Multiband Imager: Reassessment of the compositional structure of the lunar crust

“…The matrices of the fragment‐laden melt boulders from the Serenitatis impact event were found to be noritic in character, corresponding to a variety of low‐K Fra Mauro (LKFM) basalt, as defined by Reid et al . []. The matrices of the fragment‐laden black‐and‐white rocks (samples 15445 and 15455) from the Imbrium impact event were also found to be of LKFM basalt composition.…”