1983Journal of Geophysical Research AtmospheresRequires access

Petrology of the Apollo 11 Highland Component

S. B. Simon, J. J. Papike, C. K. Shearer, J. C. Laul

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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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What this paper is about

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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Available 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.

Key concepts: Anorthosite, Geology, Breccia, Norite, Geology of the Moon, Basalt, Geochemistry, Petrography

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