Estimation of trace element concentrations in the lunar magma ocean using mineral‐ and metal‐silicate melt partition coefficients

This study uses experimentally determined plagioclase‐melt D values to estimate the trace element concentrations of Sr, Hf, Ga, W, Mo, Ru, Pd, Au, Ni, and Co in a crystallizing lunar magma ocean at the point of plagioclase flotation. Similarly, experimentally determined metal‐silicate partition experiments combined with a composition model for the Moon are used to constrain the concentrations of W, Mo, Ru, Pd, Au, Ni, and Co in the lunar magma ocean at the time of core formation. The metal‐silicate derived lunar mantle estimates are generally consistent with previous estimates for the concentration of these elements in the lunar mantle. Plagioclase‐melt derived concentrations for Sr, Ga, Ru, Pd, Au, Ni, and Co are also consistent with prior estimates. Estimates for Hf, W, and Mo, however, are higher. These elements may be concentrated in the residual liquid during fractional crystallization due to their incompatibility. Alternatively, the apparent enrichment could reflect the inappropriate use of bulk anorthosite data, rather than data for plagioclase separates.     

Experimental constraints on the solidification of a hydrous lunar magma ocean

The identification of hydrogen in a range of lunar samples and the similarity of its abundance and isotopic composition with terrestrial values suggest that water could have been present in the Moon since its formation. To quantify the effect of water on early lunar differentiation, we present new analyses of a high‐pressure, high‐temperature experimental study designed to model the mineralogical and geochemical evolution of the solidification material equivalent to 700 km deep lunar magma oceans first reported in Lin et al. (2017a). We also performed additional experiments to better quantify water contents in the run products. Water contents in the melt phases in hydrous run products spanning a range of crystallization steps were quantified directly using a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Results suggest that a significant but constant proportion (68 ± 5%) of the hydrogen originally added to the experiments was lost from the starting material independent of run conditions and run duration. The volume of plagioclase formed during our crystallization experiments can be combined with the measured water contents and the observed crustal thickness on the Moon to provide an updated lunar interior hygrometer. Our data suggest that at least 45–354 ppm H₂O equivalent was present in the Moon at the time of crust formation. These estimates confirm the inference of Lin et al. (2017a) that the Moon was wet during its magma ocean stage, with corrected absolute water contents now comparable to estimates derived from the water content in a range of lunar samples.     

Anhydrous liquid line of descent of Yamato‐980459 and evolution of Martian parental magmas

We report the results of nominally anhydrous equilibrium and fractional crystallization experiments on a synthetic Yamato‐980459 (Y98) bulk composition at 0.5 GPa. These experiments allow us to test a suggested fractional crystallization model, calculated using MELTS by Symes et al. ( 2008 ), in which a Y98‐like initial liquid yielded a magma closely resembling the bulk composition of QUE 94201. Although the two meteorites cannot be cogenetic owing to their age difference, they are thought to represent bona fide magmatic liquids rather than products of crystal accumulation, as are most Martian basaltic meteorites. Hence, understanding possible petrogenetic links between these types of liquids could be revealing about processes of melting and crystallization that formed the range of Martian basalts. We find that Y98 can, in fact, generate a residual liquid closely resembling QUE, but only after a very different crystallization process, and different degree of crystallization, than that modeled using MELTS. In addition, both the identity and sequence of crystallizing phases are very different between model and experiments. Our fractional crystallization experiments do not produce a QUE‐like liquid, and the crystallizing phases are an even poorer match to the MELTS‐calculated compositions than in the equilibrium runs. However, residual liquids from our experiments define a liquid line of descent that encompasses bulk compositions of parental melts calculated for several Martian basaltic meteorites, suggesting that the known Martian basaltic meteorites had their ultimate origin from the same or very similar source lithologies. These are, in turn, similar to source rocks modeled by previous studies as products of extensive crystallization of an initial Martian magma ocean.     

A magma ocean on Vesta: Core formation and petrogenesis of eucrites and diogenites

Abstract— Available evidence strongly suggests that the HED (howardite, eucrite, diogenite) meteorites are samples of asteroid 4 Vesta. Abundances of the moderately siderophile elements (Ni, Co, Mo, W and P) in the HED mantle indicate that the parent body may have been completely molten during its early history. During cooling of a chondritic composition magma ocean, equilibrium crystallization is fostered by the suspension of crystals in a convecting magma ocean until the crystal fraction reaches a critical value near 0.80, when the convective system freezes and melts segregate from crystals by gravitational forces. The extruded liquids are similar in composition to Main Group and Stannern trend eucrites, and the last pyroxenes to precipitate out of this ocean (before convective lockup) span the compositional range of the diogenites. Subsequent fractional crystallization of a Main Group eucrite liquid, which has been isolated as a body of magma, produces the Nuevo Laredo trend and the cumulate eucrites. The predicted cumulate mineral compositions are in close agreement with phase compositions analyzed in the cumulate eucrites. Thus, eucrites and diogenites are shown to have formed as part of a simple and continuous crystallization sequence starting with a magma ocean environment on an asteroidal size parent body that is consistent with Vesta.     

The origin of eucrites,diogenites, and olivine diogenites: Magma ocean crystallization and shallow magma chamber processes on Vesta

The asteroid 4 Vesta is one of the very few heavenly bodies to have been linked to samples on Earth: the howardite‐eucrite‐diogenite (HED) meteorite suite. This large and diverse suite of meteorites provides a detailed picture of Vesta's igneous and postigneous history. We have used the range of igneous rock types and compositions in the HED suite to test a series of chemical models for solidification processes following peak melting (magma ocean) conditions on Vesta. Fractional crystallization cannot have been a dominant early process in the magma ocean because it leads to excessive Fe‐enrichment in the melt. Models that are dominated by equilibrium crystallization cannot produce orthopyroxene cumulates (diogenites). Our best models invoke 60–70% equilibrium crystallization of a magma ocean followed by continuous extraction of the residual melt into shallow magma chambers. Fractional crystallization in these magma chambers combined with continuous or periodic addition of more melt from the slowly compacting crystal mush (magmatic recharge) can produce all of the igneous HED lithologies (noncumulate and cumulate eucrites, diogenites, dunites, harzburgites, and olivine diogenites). Magmatic recharge can also explain the narrow range in eucrite compositions and the variability of incompatible trace element concentrations in diogenites. We predict an internal structure for Vesta that permits excavation of the HEDs during the formation of the Rheasilvia basin, while remaining consistent with observations from the Dawn mission and most impact models.     

Water in the Martian interior—The geodynamical perspective

Petrological analysis of the Martian meteorites suggests that rheologically significant amounts of water are present in the Martian mantle. A bulk mantle water content of at least a few tens of ppm is thus expected to be present despite the potentially efficient degassing during accretion, magma ocean solidification, and subsequent volcanism. We examine the dynamical consequences of different thermochemical evolution scenarios testing whether they can lead to the formation and preservation of mantle reservoirs, and compare model predictions with available data. First, the simplest scenario of a homogenous mantle that emerges when ignoring density changes caused by the extraction of partial melt is found to be inconsistent with the isotopic evidence for distinct reservoirs provided by the analysis of the Martian meteorites. In a second scenario, reservoirs can form as a result of partial melting that induces a density change in the depleted mantle with respect to its primordial composition. However, efficient mantle mixing prevents these reservoirs from being preserved until present unless they are located in the stagnant lid. Finally, reservoirs could be formed during fractional crystallization of a magma ocean. In this case, however, the mantle would likely end up being stably stratified as a result of the global overturn expected to accompany the fractional crystallization. Depending on the assumed density contrast, little secondary crust would be produced and the lithosphere would be extremely cool and dry, in contrast to observations. In summary, it is very challenging to obtain a self‐consistent evolution scenario that satisfies all available constraints.     

KREEP basalt petrogenesis: Insights from 15434,181

Returned lunar KREEP basalts originated through impact processes or endogenous melting of the lunar interior. Various methods have been used to distinguish between these two origins, with varying degrees of success. Apollo 15 KREEP basalts are generally considered to be endogenous melts of the lunar interior. For example, sample 15434,181 is reported to have formed by a two‐stage cooling process, with large orthopyroxene (Opx) phenocrysts forming first and eventually cocrystalizing with smaller plagioclase crystals. However, major and trace element analyses of Opx and plagioclase coupled with calculated equilibrium liquids are inconsistent with the large orthopyroxenes being a phenocryst phase. Equilibrium liquid rare earth element (REE) profiles are enriched relative to the whole rock (WR) composition, inconsistent with Opx being an early crystallizing phase, and these are distinct from the plagioclase REE equilibrium liquids. Fractional crystallization modeling using the Opx equilibrium liquids as a parental composition cannot reproduce the WR values even with crystallization of late‐stage phosphates and zircon. This work concludes that instead of being a phenocryst phase, the large Opx crystals are actually xenocrysts that were subsequently affected by pyroxene overgrowths that formed intergrowths with cocrystallizing plagioclase.     

Genesis of the IIICD iron meteorites: Evidence from silicate-bearing inclusions

Abstract— Our studies of the silicate-bearing inclusions in the IIICD iron meteorites Maltahöhe, Carlton and Dayton suggest that their mineralogy and mineral compositions are related to the composition of the metal in the host meteorites. An inclusion in the low-Ni Maltahöhe is similar in mineralogy to those in IAB irons, which contain olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, graphite and troilite. With increasing Ni concentration of the metal, silicate inclusions become poorer in graphite, richer in phosphates, and the phosphate and silicate assemblages become more complex. Dayton contains pyroxene, plagioclase, SiO₂, brianite, panethite and whitlockite, without graphite. In addition, mafic silicates become more FeO-rich with increasing Ni concentration of the hosts. In contrast, silicates in IAB irons show no such correlation with host Ni concentration, nor do they have the complex mineral assemblages of Dayton. These trends in inclusion composition and mineralogy in IIICD iron meteorites have been established by reactions between the S-rich metallic magma and the silicates, but the physical setting is uncertain. Of the two processes invoked by other authors to account for groups IAB and IIICD, fractional crystallization of S-rich cores and impact generation of melt pools, we prefer core crystallization. However, the absence of relationships between silicate inclusion mineralogy and metal compositions among IAB irons analogous to those that we have discovered in IIICD irons suggests that the IAB and IIICD cores/metallic magmas evolved in rather different ways. We suggest that the solidification of the IIICD core may have been very complex, involving fractional crystallization, nucleation effects and, possibly, liquid immiscibility.     

Experimental and petrological constraints on lunar differentiation from the Apollo 15 green picritic glasses

Abstract— Phase equilibrium experiments on the most magnesian Apollo 15C green picritic glass composition indicate a multiple saturation point with olivine and orthopyroxene at 1520°C and 1.3 GPa (about 260 km depth in the moon). This composition has the highest Mg# of any lunar picritic glass and the shallowest multiple saturation point. Experiments on an Apollo 15A composition indicate a multiple saturation point with olivine and orthopyroxene at 1520°C and 2.2 GPa (about 440 km depth in the moon). The importance of the distinctive compositional trends of the Apollo 15 groups A, B, and C picritic glasses merits the reanalysis of NASA slide 15426,72 with modern electron microprobe techniques. We confirm the compositional trends reported by Delano (1979, 1986) in the major element oxides SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, FeO, MnO, MgO, and CaO, and we also obtained data for the trace elements P₂O₅, K₂O, Na₂O, NiO, S, Cu, Cl, Zn, and F. Petrogenetic modeling demonstrates that the Apollo 15 A‐B‐C glass trends could not have been formed by fractional crystallization or any continuous assimilation/fractional crystallization (AFC) process. The B and C glass compositional trends could not have been formed by batch or incremental melting of an olivine + orthopyroxene source or any other homogeneous source, though the A glasses may have been formed by congruent melting over a small pressure range at depth. The B compositional trend is well modeled by starting with an intermediate A composition and assimilating a shallower, melted cumulate, and the C compositional trend is well modeled by a second assimilation event. The assimilation process envisioned is one in which heat and mass transfer were separated in space and time. In an initial intrusive event, a picritic magma crystallized and provided heat to melt magma ocean cumulates. In a later replenishment event, the picritic magma incrementally mixed with the melted cumulate (creating the compositional trends in the green glass data set), ascended to the lunar surface, and erupted as a fire fountain. A barometer created from multiple saturation points provides a depth estimate of other glasses in the A‐B‐C trend and of the depths of assimilation. This barometer demonstrates that the Apollo 15 A‐B‐C trend originated over a depth range of ?460 km to ?260 km within the moon.     

Chronology,geochemistry, and petrology of a ferroan noritic anorthosite clast from Descartes breccia 67215: Clues to the age,origin, structure,and impact history of the lunar crust

Abstract— The petrology, major and trace element geochemistry, and Nd‐Ar‐Sr isotopic compositions of a ferroan noritic anorthosite clast from lunar breccia 67215 have been studied in order to improve our understanding of the composition, age, structure, and impact history of the lunar crust. The clast (designated 67215c) has an unusually well preserved igneous texture. Mineral compositions are consistent with classification of 67215c as a member of the ferroan anorthositic suite of lunar highlands rocks, but the texture and mineralogy show that it cooled more rapidly and at shallower depths than did more typical ferroan anorthosites (FANs). Incompatible trace element concentrations are enriched in 67215c relative to typical FANs, but diagnostic signatures such as Ti/Sm, Sc/Sm, plagiophile element ratios, and the lack of Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta fractionation show that this cannot be due to the addition of KREEP. Alternatively, 67215c may contain a greater fraction of trapped liquid than is commonly present in lunar FANs. ¹⁴⁷Sm‐¹⁴³Nd isotopic compositions of mineral separates from 67215c define an isochron age of 4.40 ± 0.11 Gyr with a near‐chondritic initial ε¹⁴³_Nd of +0.85 ± 0.53. The ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar composition of plagioclase from this clast records a post‐crystallization thermal event at 3.93 ± 0.08 Gyr, with the greatest contribution to the uncertainty in this age deriving from a poorly constrained correction for lunar atmosphere ⁴⁰Ar. Rb‐Sr isotopic compositions are disturbed, probably by the same event recorded by the Ar isotopic compositions. Trace element compositions of FANs are consistent with crystallization from a moderately evolved magma ocean and do not support a highly depleted source composition such as that implied by the positive initial ε¹⁴³_Nd of the ferroan noritic anorthosite 62236. Alternatively, the Nd isotopic systematics of lunar FANs may have been subject to variable degrees of modification by impact metamorphism, with the plagioclase fraction being more strongly affected than the mafic phases. ¹⁴⁷Sm‐¹⁴³Nd isotopic compositions of mafic fractions from the 4 ferroan noritic anorthosites for which isotopic data exist (60025, 62236, 67016c, 67215c) define an age of 4.46 ± 0.04 Gyr, which may provide a robust estimate for the crystallization age of lunar ferroan anorthosites.     

Comment on “The origin of eucrites,diogenites, and olivine diogenites: Magma ocean crystallization and shallow magma processes on Vesta” by B. E. Mandler and L. T. Elkins‐Tanton

Mandler and Elkins‐Tanton ( 2013 ) recently proposed an upgraded magma ocean model for the differentiation history of the giant asteroid 4 Vesta. They show that a combination of both equilibrium crystallization and fractional crystallization processes can reproduce the major element compositions of eucritic melts and broadly the range of mineral compositions observed in diogenites. They assert that their model accounts for all the howardites, eucrites, and diogenites (HEDs), and use it to predict the crustal thickness and the proportions of the various lithologies. Here, we show that their model fails to explain the trace element diversity of the diogenites, contrary to their claim. The diversity of the heavy REE enrichment exhibited by the orthopyroxenes in diogenites is inconsistent with crystallization of these cumulates in either shallow magma chambers replenished by melts from a magma ocean or in a magma ocean. Thus, proportions of the various HED lithologies and the crustal thickness predicted from this model are not necessarily valid.     

Basaltic magmatism and the bulk composition of the moon

The lunar interior is comprised of two major petrological provinces: (1) an outer zone several hundred km thick which experienced partial melting and crystallization differentiation 4.4–4.6 b.y. ago to form the lunar crust together with an underlying complementary zone of ultramafic cumulates and residua, and (2) the primordial deep interior which was the source region for mare basalts (3.2–3.8 b.y.) and had previously been contaminated to varying degrees with highly fractionated material derived from the 4.4–4.6 b.y. differentiation event. In both major petrologic provinces, basaltic magmas have been produced by partial melting. The chemical characteristics and high-pressure phase relationships of these magmas can be used to constrain the bulk compositions of their respective source regions.Primitive low-Ti mare basalts (e.g., 12009, 12002, 15555 and Green Glass) possessing high normative olivine and high Mg and Cr contents, provide the most direct evidence upon the composition of the primordial deep lunar interior. This composition, as estimated on the basis of high pressure equilibria displayed by the above basalts, combined with other geochemical criteria, is found to consist of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + olivine with total pyroxenes > olivine, 100 MgO/(MgO + FeO) = 75–80, about 4% of CaO and Al₂O₃ and 2× chondritic abundances of REE, U and Th. This composition is similar to that of the earth's mantle except for a higher pyroxene/olivine ratio and lower 100 MgO/(MgO + FeO).The lunar crust is believed to have formed by plagioclase elutriation within a vast ocean of parental basaltic magma. The composition of the latter is found experimentally by removing liquidus plagioclase from the observed mean upper crust (gabbroic anorthosite) composition, until the resulting composition becomes multiply saturated with plagioclase and a ferromagnesian phase (olivine). This parental basaltic composition is almost identical with terrestrial oceanic tholeiites, except for partial depletion in the two most volatile components, Na₂ and SiO₂. Similarity between these two most abundant classes of lunar and terrestrial basaltic magmas strongly implies corresponding similarities between their source regions. The bulk composition of the outer 400 km of the Moon as constrained by the 4.6-4.4 b.y. parental basaltic magma is found to be peridotitic, with olivine > pyroxene, 100 MgO/ (MgO + FeO) 86, and about 2× chondritic abundances of Ca, Al and REE. The Moon thus appears to have a zoned structure, with the deep interior (below 400 km) possessing somewhat higher contents of FeO and SiO₂ than the outer 400 km. This zoned model, derived exclusively on petrological grounds, provides a quantitative explanation of the Moon's mean density, moment of inertia and seismic velocity profile.The bulk composition of the entire Moon, thus obtained, is very similar to the pyrolite model composition for the Earth's mantle, except that the Moon is depleted in Na (and other volatile elements) and somewhat enriched in iron. The similarity in major element composition extends also to the abundances of REE, U and Th. These compositional similarities, combined with the identity in oxygen isotope ratios between the Moon and the Earth's mantle, are strongly suggestive of a common genetic relationship.     

Survey and evaluation of eucrite bulk compositions

Abstract— The purpose of this survey is to establish reference bulk elemental abundances for the eucrites and thereby provide the basis to test core formation models as well as partial melting, fractional crystallization and magma ocean theories for the eucrite parent body. In order to evaluate bulk elemental abundances for the eucrites, 296 peer-reviewed articles, monographs, theses or books and 143 abstracts dating from 1938 to 1997 were surveyed. Of the 101 eucrites having at least one set of elemental abundance analyses reported in the literature, 20 were selected for in-depth examination. The selection criteria of our sample were based on the total number of analyses available for a given eucrite and the total number of elements for which data exist. The mean bulk elemental abundance, 1σ standard deviation, and the percent deviation were calculated for each element in a given eucrite. In order to evaluate the quality of the mean abundances, the elements were then grouped according to availability of data and percent deviations. Possible reasons for the different deviations in the different groups are briefly discussed. From the major element abundances, the normative (CIPW) composition, the molar compositions of pyroxene, olivine and plagioclase, and the bulk densities were calculated and compared to petrographic observations. The calculated norms for the noncumulates agree well with the observations while the norms for the cumulates do not. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Unfortunately, analyses of many elements are poorly represented in the literature and many bulk analyses suffer from unacceptable levels of uncertainty. Therefore, future work requires bulk elemental analyses for some of the more poorly characterized elements in eucrites, especially those of key elements used for planetary modeling.     

Petrography,relationships, and petrogenesis of the gabbroic lithologies in Northwest Africa 773 clan members Northwest Africa 773, 2727, 3160, 3170, 7007, and 10656

The Northwest Africa (NWA) 773 clan of lunar meteorite stones are coarse‐grained breccias that provide an opportunity to examine a lunar igneous system that includes inferred intrusive and extrusive lithologies, possibly related through a common liquid line of descent from a single source region. Such extensive sampling of a single very low‐Ti (VLT) magmatic system on the Moon is unprecedented among the lunar samples. This study focuses on the olivine gabbro (OG), anorthositic gabbro (AG), and ferroan gabbro (FG) lithologies variably contained in NWA 773, NWA 2727, NWA 3160, NWA 3170, NWA 7007, and NWA 10656. Mineral compositions in the three gabbros indicate the crystallization sequence OG → AG → FG. Petrologic modeling of these three lithologies, and an olivine phyric basalt that also occurs in the NWA 773 clan, however, suggests that the relationship among the lithologies is more complex. The OG and basalt can be modeled as originating from a VLT KREEP‐bearing parental melt similar to the Apollo 14 Green Glass b1 composition through mainly equilibrium crystallization. The AG and FG, however, do not fit this simple model and require either a more complex crystallization sequence involving fractional crystallization, magma chamber recharge, or perhaps heterogeneity in the source region.     

Fluid dynamics of local martian magma oceans

The evolution of a melt region produced by a large impact during Mars formation is addressed. While some impact induced melt is redistributed during crater excavation, sufficiently large impacts (much larger than basin forming impacts) generate an intact melt region which is retained beneath the excavation zone, i.e., a local magma ocean. Local magma ocean evolution depends on the effective rheology controlling large scale deformation of the solid part of the planet, mechanism of crystallization, and melt region size. Within the uncertainties of various parameters, two scenarios are possible. For sufficiently weak rheology or large melt region size, evolution is characterized by rapid extrusion and formation of a global magma ocean. For sufficiently strong rheology or small melt region size, in situ crystallization to a partially molten solid state occurs prior to isostatic adjustment. Subsequent to in situ crystallization, local magma ocean evolution depends on melt region size and efficiency of lateral redistribution compared to bulk conductive cooling. For large melt regions, lateral spreading occurs via plastic deformation and results in an asymmetric, global, partial melt layer. For small melt region size, viscous spreading viscous can result in bulk cooling below the solidus prior to formation of a global layer. A hypothesis for the origin of the hemispherical crustal dichotomy and Tharsis rise is suggested. The dichotomy is associated with a global partial melt layer produced by evolution of a large, local magma ocean. After dichotomy formation, evolution of a second, smaller, local magma ocean is related to Tharsis development.     

GENESIS OF THE CUMULATE EUCRITES SERRA DE MAGÉ AND MOORE COUNTY: A GEOCHEMICAL STUDY

Major, minor and trace element abundances have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in whole rock and plagioclase separates of Serra de Magé (SdM). The whole rock contains 52% normative plagioclase and its chondritic normalized REE abundance pattern shows a large Eu anomaly, dominated by the plagioclase REE distribution, and nearly unfractionated La-Sm and Sm-Lu abundances. The plagioclase separates contained ～ 6% pyroxenes and exhibited a typical plagioclase REE distribution. The REE abundances in the derivative equilibrium magmas from which SdM and Moore County (MC) plagioclases crystallized have been estimated from the plagioclase data and the plagioclase mineral/liquid partition coefficients. The REE distributions in possibly earlier parental magmas were calculated by assuming that various degrees of plagioclase and pigeonite (plagioclase/pigeonite = 1) fractional crystallization had been operative prior to the crystallization of SdM and MC. The calculated La/Sm and Sm/Yb ratios for the earlier magmas are essentially the same as the equilibrium magmas over a wide range (10–95%) of the assumed fractional crystallization. Considering the REE distributions and the Fe/Fe+Mg ratios, calculation shows that there is no simple genetic relationship between MC and SdM via fractional crystallization processes. A hypothesis for the derivation of these cumulate eucrites in the plutonic environment from residual diogenitic liquid, which was produced by the extensive partial melting of an eucritic source material followed by the crystallization of diogenite, also fails to account for the fractionated REE patterns calculated for the equilibrium and the possible parental magmas for either SdM or MC. Equilibrium non-modal partial melting calculations indicate that SdM and MC could be genetically related by a factor ～ 6 difference in the degrees of partial melting from a similar source material. However, this common source material which should contain > 30% high-Ca clinopyroxene and has a chondritic normalized La/Yb ～ 3, is different than that proposed for the non-cumulate eucrites.     

The parent magmas of the cumulate eucrites: A mass balance approach

Abstract— The cumulate eucrite meteorites are gabbros that are related to the eucrite basalt meteorites. The eucrite basalts are relatively primitive (nearly flat REE patterns with La ～ 8–30 × CI), but the parent magmas of the cumulate eucrites have been inferred as extremely evolved (La to > 100 × CI). This inference has been based on mineral/magma partitioning, and on mass balance considering the cumulate eucrites as adcumulates of plagioclase + pigeonite only; both approaches have been criticized as inappropriate. Here, mass balance including magma + equilibrium pigeonite + equilibrium plagioclase is used to test a simple model for the cumulate eucrites: that they formed from known eucritic magma types, that they consisted only of magma + crystals in chemical equilibrium with the magma, and that they were closed to chemical exchange after the accumulation of crystals. This model is tested for major and rare earth elements (REE). The cumulate eucrites Serra de Magé and Moore County are consistent, in both REE and major elements, with formation by this simple model from a eucrite magma with a composition similar to the Nuevo Laredo meteorite: Serra de Magé as 14% magma, 47.5% pigeonite, and 38.5% plagioclase; Moore County as 35% magma, 37.5% pigeonite, and 27.5% plagioclase. These results are insensitive to the choice of mineral/magma partition coefficients. Results for the Moama cumulate eucrite are strongly dependent on choice of partition coefficients; for one reasonable choice, Moama's composition can be modeled as 4% Nuevo Laredo magma, 60% pigeonite, and 36% plagioclase. Selection of parent magma composition relies heavily on major elements; the REE cannot uniquely indicate a parent magma among the eucrite basalts. The major element composition of Y-791195 can be fit adequately as a simple cumulate from any basaltic eucrite composition. However, Y-791195 has LREE abundances and La/Lu too low to be accommodated within the model using any basaltic eucrite composition and any reasonable partition coefficients. Postcumulus loss of incompatible elements seems possible. It is intriguing that Serra de Magé, Moore County, and Moama are consistent with the same parental magma; could they be from the same igneous body on the eucrite parent asteroid (4 Vesta)?     

Petrologic insights from the spectra of the unbrecciated eucrites: Implications for Vesta and basaltic asteroids

Abstract– We investigate the relationship between the petrology and visible–near infrared spectra of the unbrecciated eucrites and synthetic pyroxene–plagioclase mixtures to determine how spectra obtained by the Dawn mission could distinguish between several models that have been suggested for the petrogenesis of Vesta’s crust (e.g., partial melting and magma ocean). Here, we study the spectra of petrologically characterized unbrecciated eucrites to establish spectral observables, which can be used to yield mineral abundances and compositions consistent with petrologic observations. No information about plagioclase could be extracted from the eucrite spectra. In contrast, pyroxene dominates the spectra of the eucrites and absorption band modeling provides a good estimate of the relative proportions of low‐ and high‐Ca pyroxene present. Cr is a compatible element in eucrite pyroxene and is enriched in samples from primitive melts. An absorption at 0.6 μm resulting from Cr³⁺ in the pyroxene structure can be used to distinguish these primitive eucrites. The spectral differences present among the eucrites may allow Dawn to distinguish between the two main competing models proposed for the petrogenesis of Vesta (magma ocean and partial melting). These models predict different crustal structures and scales of heterogeneity, which can be observed spectrally. The formation of eucrite Allan Hills (ALH) A81001, which is primitive (Cr‐rich) and relatively unmetamorphosed, is hard to explain in the magma ocean model. It could only have been formed as a quench crust. If the magma ocean model is correct, then ALHA81001‐like material should be abundant on the surface of Vesta and the Vestoids.     

Mineralogy and petrology of the LaPaz Icefield lunar mare basaltic meteorites

Abstract— Five basaltic meteorites from the LaPaz ice field are paired on the basis of their mineralogy and texture, and represent a unique basalt type distinct from those in the Apollo or Luna sample collections. LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02205, LAP 02224, LAP 02226, LAP 02436 and LAP 03632 all contain plagioclase, pyroxene, ilmenite, spinel, olivine, and minor troilite, metal, phosphate, baddeleyite and silica (cristobalite). Brown glassy melt veins are ubiquitous and cross the primary igneous texture. Plagioclase, the major mineral and occurring as laths in a subophitic texture, is of narrow compositional range, from An_85–89. Pyroxene, also a major mineral, is strongly zoned, from augite and pigeonite cores to very iron‐rich rims. Ilmenite laths comprise approximately 3–5% of the basalts. Spinels show a large compositional range, comparable to that documented in Apollo 15 basalts, indicating an early chromite‐rich stage followed by an intermediate to late stage with Cr‐rich ulvöspinel. Relatively large, subhedral to skeletal olivine crystals (Fo_46–62) are sparse, and are too Forich to be in equilibrium with the bulk rock, indicating that these are xenocrysts rather than phenocrysts. The presence of melt veins with a similar composition to the bulk rock, maskelynitized plagioclase feldspar, and metastable cristobalite indicate that these rocks underwent significant shock, between 30 and 50 GPa. Calculated oxygen fugacity, using spinel‐ilmenite‐iron metal equilibria, is within the range defined by previous studies of lunar materials. The bulk composition (low MgO) and low calculated temperatures, together with modelling calculations, indicate an origin by fractional crystallization of a more primitive low TiO₂ parent liquid similar to Apollo 12 olivine basalt.     

Petrogenesis of Chang'E-5 young mare low-Ti basalts

The regolith samples returned by the Chang'E-5 mission (CE-5) contain the youngest radiometrically dated mare basaltic clasts, which provide an opportunity to elucidate the magmatic activities on the Moon during the late Eratosthenian. In this study, detailed petrographic observations and comprehensive geochemical analyses were performed on the CE-5 basaltic clasts. The major element concentrations in individual plagioclase grain of the CE-5 basalts may vary slightly from core to rim, whereas pyroxene has clear chemical zonation. The crystallization sequence of the CE-5 mare basalts was determined using petrographic and geochemical relations in the basaltic clasts. In addition, both fractional crystallization (FC) and assimilation and fractional crystallization models were applied to simulate the chemical evolution of melt equilibrated with plagioclase in CE-5 basalts. Our results reveal that the melt had a TiO₂ content of ~3 wt% and an Mg# of ~45 at the onset of plagioclase crystallization, suggesting a low-Ti parental melt of the CE-5 basalts. The relatively high FeO content (>14.5 wt%) in melt equilibrated with plagioclase could have resulted in extensive crystallization of ilmenite, unlike in Apollo low-Ti basalts. Furthermore, our calculations showed that the geochemical evolution of CE-5 basaltic melt could not have occurred in a closed system. On the contrary, the CE-5 basalts could have assimilated mineral, rock, and glass fragments that have higher concentrations of KREEP elements (potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus) in the regolith during magma flow on the Moon's surface. The presence of the KREEP signature in the CE-5 basalts is consistent with literature remote sensing data obtained from the CE-5 landing site. These KREEP-bearing fragments could originate from KREEP basaltic melts that may have been emplaced at the landing site earlier than the CE-5 basalts.