Implications of isotope data for the origin of the moonLunar isotope data are studied in terms of lunar reservoir models. An analysis is performed to determine how the samarium-neodymium and rubidium-strontium systems evolve in terms of a two-reservoir model. Isotope data from lunar rocks show much more variability than similar data from terrestrial rocks. The midocean ridge basalts yield consistent isotope signatures on a worldwide basis suggesting that vigorous mantle convection has mixed and homogeneized the upper mantle beneath the lithosphere plates. The variability of the lunar data is taken as evidence for distinct source regions which in effect support a relatively cool origin of the moon.
Document ID
19870033359
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Turcotte, D. L. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Kellogg, L. H. (Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)