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Returned samples indicate volcanism on the Moon 120 million years ago
Bi-Wen Wang1,2, Qian W L Zhang1, Yi Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric and Environmental Coevolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 5, 2024
Summary
Lunar volcanic activity persisted much later than previously thought, with volcanic glass beads dating to 123 million years ago. This suggests recent lunar volcanism may be linked to localized mantle enrichment of heat-generating elements.
Area of Science:
- Lunar geology
- Geochemistry
- Cosmochemistry
Background:
- Extensive geologic evidence points to ancient lunar volcanic activity.
- The duration and persistence of lunar volcanism remain uncertain.
- Volcanic glasses, formed by magma fountains, are key indicators of past eruptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age of lunar volcanic activity.
- To analyze volcanic glass beads from the Chang'e-5 mission samples.
- To understand the implications of recent volcanism on lunar mantle composition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of approximately 3000 glass beads from lunar soil samples.
- Identification of volcanic origin based on texture, chemical composition, and sulfur isotopes.
- Uranium-lead dating of volcanic glass beads.
Main Results:
- Three volcanic glass beads were identified from the Chang'e-5 samples.
- Uranium-lead dating revealed the beads formed 123 ± 15 million years ago.
- High abundances of rare earth elements and thorium were measured in the beads.
Conclusions:
- Lunar volcanism persisted much later than previously estimated.
- Recent lunar volcanism may be associated with localized mantle enrichment of heat-generating elements.
- The findings provide new insights into the thermal evolution of the Moon.
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