[meteorite-list] High-titanium magma on the Moon

[bernd.pauli at paulinet.de]

Randy wrote:

"Earth-based spectroscopy of the near side as well as whole-moon
spectroscopy by the Clementine mission show that high-Ti basalts
are really not so common on the Moon."


Hello All,

One such lunar high-titanium area was visited by the Apollo 17 astronauts in the
Taurus Littrow Valley (Mare Serenitatis) where the astronauts took a core sample
in an orange patch of soil on the rim of the 120 m diameter impact crater Shorty.

The core sample is unique because it is composed completely of volcanic beads with
only a minor lithic component in the top 8 cm. The volcanic beads consist of high-Ti
orange glasses (9 wt% TiO2) and their crystallized equivalents (black beads). 

Reference:

WEITZ C.M. et al. (1999) Ascent and eruption of a lunar high-titanium magma as
inferred from the petrology of the 74001/2 drill core (MAPS 34-4, 1999, pp. 527-540).


Best wishes,

Bernd