Petrology of the Apollo 11 Highland Component
S. B. Simon, J. J. Papike, C. K. Shearer, J. C. Laul
Abstract
S. B. Simon, J. J. Papike, C. K. Shearer, J. C. Laul
Abstract
New data for 38 highland fragments hand‐picked from Apollo 11 coarse fines are reported. Petrographic, mineralogic, and bulk chemical data show that (1) the Apollo 11 highland component is non‐KREEPy and like that of Apollo 16; (2) poikilitic rocks, granulitic breccias, and the anorthosite‐norite‐troctolite suite are the most abundant rock types, followed by polymict breccias and glasses; (3) both the ferroan anorthosite and Mg‐rich plutonic suites are represented in the Apollo 11 highland component; (4) except for one sample, the intermediate‐K Fra Mauro and high‐K Fra Mauro groups are not represented. The data and observations are consistent with local derivation of the highland material from beneath relatively thin basalt flows and addition to the regolith via vertical mixing.
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New data for 38 highland fragments hand‐picked from Apollo 11 coarse fines are reported. Petrographic, mineralogic, and bulk chemical data show that (1) the Apollo 11 highland component is non‐KREEPy and like that of Apollo 16; (2) poikilitic rocks, granulitic breccias, and the anorthosite‐norite‐troctolite suite are the most abundant rock types, followed by polymict breccias and glasses; (3) both the ferroan anorthosite and Mg‐rich plutonic suites are represented in the Apollo 11 highland component; (4) except for one sample, the intermediate‐K Fra Mauro and high‐K Fra Mauro groups are not represented. The data and observations are consistent with local derivation of the highland material from beneath relatively thin basalt flows and addition to the regolith via vertical mixing.
Key concepts: Anorthosite, Geology, Breccia, Norite, Geology of the Moon, Basalt, Geochemistry, Petrography