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Unveiling magmatic structures and connectivity beneath the lunar Oceanus Procellarum region from GRAIL gravity data
Meixia Geng1, Qingjie Yang2, Chaouki Kasmi2
1Directed Energy Research Centre, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. meixia.geng@tii.ae.
Nature Communications
|November 28, 2024
Summary
Density models of lunar volcanic structures reveal interconnected magmatic conduits beneath Oceanus Procellarum. These pathways facilitated magma transport, shaping the Moon's volcanic history.
Area of Science:
- Lunar geology
- Planetary volcanism
- Geophysics
Background:
- Oceanus Procellarum exhibits extensive basaltic plains and significant volcanic activity.
- Understanding lunar volcanic history requires detailed investigation of subsurface magmatic systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the density of magmatic structures beneath Oceanus Procellarum.
- To investigate the connectivity and architecture of lunar volcanic systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission.
- Developed density models of subsurface magmatic structures.
Main Results:
- Identified linear magmatic structures along the western Procellarum border.
- Revealed significant intrusions in the northern and southern Marius Hills.
- Discovered three near-horizontal sheeted magmatic conduits (80-150 km long, 6-7 km depth) connecting these intrusions.
Conclusions:
- The discovered conduits acted as central pathways for lateral magma transport.
- Demonstrated widespread magmatic connectivity beneath Oceanus Procellarum.
- Highlighted the importance of lateral transport in lunar volcanic evolution.
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