Are the Earth and the Moon compositionally alike? Inferences on lunar composition and implications for lunar origin and evolution from geophysical modeling

Khan, A. and Maclennan, J. and Taylor, S. R. and Connolly, J. A. D. (2006) Are the Earth and the Moon compositionally alike? Inferences on lunar composition and implications for lunar origin and evolution from geophysical modeling. Journal of Geophysical Research, 111 (E12). E05005. DOI https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JE002608

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Abstract

The main objective of the present study is to discuss in detail the results obtained from an inversion of the Apollo lunar seismic data set, lunar mass, and moment of inertia. We inverted directly for lunar chemical composition and temperature using the model system CaO-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2. Using Gibbs free energy minimization, stable mineral phases at the temperatures and pressures of interest, their modes and physical properties are calculated. We determine the compositional range of the oxide elements, thermal state, Mg#, mineralogy and physical structure of the lunar interior, as well as constraining core size and density. The results indicate a lunar mantle mineralogy that is dominated by olivine and orthopyroxene (~80 vol%), with the remainder being composed of clinopyroxene and an aluminous phase (plagioclase, spinel, and garnet present in the depth ranges 0–150 km, 150–200 km, and >200 km, respectively). This model is broadly consistent with constraints on mantle mineralogy derived from the experimental and observational study of the phase relationships and trace element compositions of lunar mare basalts and picritic glasses. In particular, by melting a typical model mantle composition using the pMELTS algorithm, we found that a range of batch melts generated from these models have features in common with low Ti mare basalts and picritic glasses. Our results also indicate a bulk lunar composition and Mg# different to that of the Earth's upper mantle, represented by the pyrolite composition. This difference is reflected in a lower bulk lunar Mg# (~0.83). Results also indicate a small iron-like core with a radius around 340 km.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	E05005
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2006 AREP IA51 2006 P
Subjects:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies 02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Divisions:	02 - Geodynamics, Geophysics and Tectonics
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume:	111
Page Range:	E05005
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JE002608
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	16 Feb 2009 13:02
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 10:07
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/453

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