Researchers at Ehime University in Japan have made groundbreaking insights into the interior secrets of the Moon through the study of olivine, a mineral that crystallizes from basaltic magma. Dr. Jiejun Jing and colleagues conducted high-temperature experiments to determine the partition coefficients of first-transition row elements in olivine, such as Ga and Ge, crucial for understanding petrogenetic processes in planetary basalts.
The study, which also involved researchers from the Netherlands, China, and Germany, found that the behavior of these elements in olivine is influenced by oxygen fugacities during basalt formation. The results indicated that the Cr-rich nature of olivines in lunar basalts is linked to a Cr-rich cumulate mantle source, shedding light on the early crystallization of minerals in the lunar magma ocean.
Furthermore, the study revealed higher Co/Ni ratios in olivine in high-titanium lunar basalts, suggesting they formed under more reduced conditions in the lunar mantle. These findings provide new insights into the processes involved in the formation of lunar basalts compared to those on Earth.
The research, published in the journal Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, offers a deeper understanding of lunar geology and highlights the importance of studying olivine in unraveling the mysteries of planetary formation. The study may have implications not only for lunar geology but also for understanding basalt formation on other rocky bodies such as Mars and asteroids.
