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Ultrabasic Lunar Samples

Nature Physical Science volume 240, pages 5–6 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

FOUR rock fragments from the Apollo 14 samples have ultra-basic affinities. The principal distinguishing features are olivine and pyroxene with an Fe/(Mg+Fe) atomic ratio below 0.2 by contrast with Fe-rich minerals of recognized lunar rock types including norite, mare basalt, gabbroic anorthosite, and anorthosite (see Fig. 1). The presence in some breccias and soils of individual grains of high-Mg olivine and pyroxene suggests that ultrabasic components may be common even though large holocrystalline specimens have not been found: this in turn has important implications regarding differentiation on the Moon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 60637

    I. M. STEELE & J. V. SMITH

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  1. I. M. STEELE
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  2. J. V. SMITH
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STEELE, I., SMITH, J. Ultrabasic Lunar Samples. Nature Physical Science 240, 5–6 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci240005a0

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