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Petrologic comparisons of Cayley and Descartes on the basis of Apollo 16 soils from stations 4 and 11Petrologic aspects of the Cayley and Descartes formations are reviewed in the light of new data on Apollo 16 soils. Specific comparison of the modal abundances of lithic fragments in drive tube sample 64001/2 from the slopes of Stone Mountain (station 4) and in soil 67941 from the North Ray Crater rim (station 11) shows that melt rocks, especially poikilitic rocks, are more abundant at station 4 than at station 11; the reverse is true for fragmental breccias. Such lithologic differences suggest that stations 4 and 11 do not belong to the same geologic formation. Metamorphosed breccias are pervasive in both the formations and may represent a local component that has been reworked and diluted as fresh materials were added. Lithologic compositions inferred from the study of soil samples are different from lithologic compositions inferred from the study of rake samples or breccia clasts. This difference may be related to a mixing of material of different grain size distributions. The petrology of soils at the Apollo 16 site may not accurately reflect original material associated with either the Descartes or the Cayley formation because of extensive mixing with local material.
Document ID
19840043303
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Basu, A.
(Indiana University Bloomington, IN, United States)
Mckay, D. S.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
February 15, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research, Supplement
Volume: 89
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
84A26090
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-9077
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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