GEOLOGICAL AND THERMODYNAMIC ASPECTS OF LUNAR ROCKS
Abstract
Geological and themodynamic spects of lunar rocks are studied. Several basic problems of lunar geology are examined with the main purpose of assembling the regional information needed to establish a list of possible lunar mineral deposits and to postulate on the origin of the Moon with emphasis on probable composition. Important problems related to the structural pattern of the Moon are discussed. A special study is devoted to the Vredefort Ring structure (South Africa), which has been recently interpreted as convin ing example of asteroidal mpacts n the Earth. The d tribution of craterlets is analyzed by statistical methods, in order to establish whether these typical lunar features are originated by volcanic activity or impat phenomena. The thermodynamic aspects are an attempt to provide a broad reconnaissance of the stability of rock-forming mineral oxides with respect to pressure and temperature. Free energy temperature diagrams were constructed to cover the behavior of various petrological oxides between 0 K and 5000 K. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0287886
Entities
People
- Felix C. Jaffe
- Peter C. Badgley
Organizations
- Colorado School of Mines