Remote sensing and geologic studies of localized dark mantle deposits on the moon

Localized lunar dark mantle deposits (LDMD) are small, smooth low-albedo units of pyroclastic origin commonly found associated with endogenic source craters. Analysis of near-infrared spectra, multispectral images, and radar data obtained for 25 LDMD has led to the identification of three compositional groups of LDMD. Group 1 deposits are composed predominantly of highlands-rich wall rock but also contain a substantial juvenile component, Group 2 deposits are composed largely of mare plug rock material, while Group 3 deposits are rich in a mixture of olivine and pyroxene. Variations in eruption conditions are interpreted to be largely responsible for the varying mineralogy of these three types of deposits.