236 results on '"Shearer, C. K"'
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2. Modal Petrology and Mineral Chemistry of the <1 mm Size Fraction of Lunar Regolith in Apollo 17 Drive Tube Section 73002.
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Simon, S. B., Cato, M. J., and Shearer, C. K.
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LUNAR soil ,PETROLOGY ,REGOLITH ,ULTRABASIC rocks ,MINERALS ,IGNEOUS rocks - Abstract
The Apollo 17 mission returned samples from the Taurus‐Littrow Valley of the Moon. Key features of the site are a basaltic valley floor partially enclosed by South Massif and North Massif mountains and the Sculptured Hills, which consist of feldspar‐rich highland lithologies. A recently opened soil core sampled an inferred landslide deposit at the base of South Massif. Study of a suite of polished grain mounts of six size fractions of <1 mm material from 14 depth intervals of the ∼18 cm soil column shows that all size fractions from the upper 5–6 cm are richer in agglutinates, an indicator of surface exposure, than the deeper material, which is among the most agglutinate‐poor Apollo 17 regolith reported. Regolith breccia, crystalline melt breccia, and noritic igneous rocks are the most abundant fragment types. Nonmare rock types found range from anorthosites to ultramafic rocks and include rare types such as dunites, pyroxenites, and granitic fragments rich in potassium feldspar and silica. Mare basalt, glasses, and agglutinates are minor components throughout. The observations are consistent with the deposition of the highland‐dominated material in a landslide, which did not preserve any previous stratigraphy, followed by in situ maturation, with only minor additions of mare lithologies from nearby basaltic regolith, due to the inefficiency of lateral transport on the Moon. Plain Language Summary: We examined samples of lunar soil from 14 depth intervals of a recently opened ∼18 cm core from the Apollo 17 landing site. It is thought to have sampled a landslide deposit at the base of a mountain. Samples were sieved into six size fractions, mounted, polished, and studied using a scanning electron microscope. The soils are mixtures of igneous and impact‐generated rocks, mineral and glass fragments, and lithified and impact glass‐fused soils. The upper 5–6 cm of the soil column are richer in the latter than the deeper material due to surface exposure. Rock types found range from anorthosites to ultramafic rocks plus basalts and include rare types such as dunites, pyroxenites, and granitic fragments rich in potassium feldspar and quartz. Overall, the core is less mature (fresher) and more uniform in composition than most other lunar soil cores, consistent with deposition in a chaotic landslide, as opposed to episodic deposition of various layers. Key Points: Drive tube 73002 sampled a lunar landslide deposit. The core is more uniform and less mature than most other lunar soil coresImpact melt rocks and feldspathic crustal rocks are the most abundant lithic fragment types, with mare basalts in minor abundance throughoutRare rock types such as granites and dunites are also found [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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3. Where Is the Lunar Mantle and Deep Crust at Crisium? A Perspective From the Luna 20 Samples
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Shearer, C. K., primary, Moriarty, D. P., additional, Simon, S. B., additional, Petro, N., additional, and Papike, J. J., additional
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- 2023
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4. Evaluating the Evidence for Past Life on Mars
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Anders, Edward, Shearer, C. K., Papike, J. J., Bell, Jeffrey F., Clemett, Simon J., Zare, Richard N., McKay, David S., Thomas-Keprta, Kathie L., Romanek, Christopher S., Gibson, Everett K., Vali, Hhjatollah, Gibson, Everett K., McKay, David S., Thomas-Keprta, Kathie, and Romanek, Christopher S.
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- 1996
5. Orbital Characterization of the Composition and Distribution of Spinels Across the Crisium Region: Insight From Luna 20 Samples
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Moriarty, D. P. III, Moriarty, D. P. III, Simon, S. B., Shearer, C. K., Haggerty, S. E., Petro, N., Li, Shuai, Moriarty, D. P. III, Moriarty, D. P. III, Simon, S. B., Shearer, C. K., Haggerty, S. E., Petro, N., and Li, Shuai
- Abstract
Spinels represent a small fraction of lunar surface materials but provide important insights into the petrological evolution of the lunar crust and mantle. Previous remote sensing analyses of highlands spinel-bearing lithologies have focused on pure Mg-Al spinels, which are rare in the lunar sample collection. Using Moon Mineralogy Mapper data, we develop and test an approach for detecting spectral signatures of spinel across a wider range of Mg, Al, Fe, Cr, Ti-bearing compositions than have been addressed in previous studies, including within mafic-bearing assemblages. This approach is validated through integration with laboratory-measured spinel spectra and petrographic observations of samples returned by the Luna 20 mission from the Hilly and Furrowed Terrain surrounding the Crisium Basin. Applying this approach to data from the Crisium region, small abundances of spinel (<∼5 vol%) with a range of Mg, Al, Fe, Cr, and Ti content and petrologic origin (inferred from Luna 20 samples) were found to be widespread within highlands soils across the Crisium region. This result diverges from previous remote sensing analyses, which only reported small, isolated exposures of pure Mg-Al spinel (as well as a possible detection of Fe, Cr-bearing spinels localized within pyroclastic materials at Sinus Aestuum). Geologic associations of candidate spinel detections across this region are consistent with a shallow crustal origin rather than excavation from depth during the Crisium-forming impact. These spinels are detectible in near-infrared spectroscopic data, particularly in areas of low optical maturity and may influence the spectral continuum of highlands soils.
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- 2023
6. Multiple Shallow Crustal Origins for Spinel‐Bearing Lithologies on the Moon: A Perspective From the Luna 20 Mission
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Simon, S. B., primary, Shearer, C. K., additional, Haggerty, S. E., additional, Moriarty, D. P., additional, Petro, N., additional, Papike, J. J., additional, and Vaci, Z., additional
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- 2022
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7. Asymmetric Post-Magma Ocean Crust-Building on the Lunar Nearside
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Elardo, S. M, Laneuville, M, McCubbin, F. M, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Mg-suite is a series of ancient plutonic rocks from the lunar crust with ages and com-positions indicating that they represent the first post-differentiation crust-building magmatism [1, 2]. Sam-ples of Mg-suite materials were found at every Apollo landing site except 11 and all exhibit geochemical characteristics indicating the involvement of KREEP in their petrogenesis [3-5]. This has led to the sugges-tion that the KREEP reservoir under the nearside was responsible for Mg-suite magmatism [e.g., 5, 6]. The lack of readily identifiable Mg-suite rocks in meteoritic regolith breccias sourced from outside the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT) seemingly supports this interpretation.
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- 2018
8. Asymmetric Early Crust-Building Magmatism on the Lunar Nearside Due to KREEP-Induced Melting Point Depression
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Elardo, S. M, Shearer, C. K, and McCuddin, F. M
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Space Sciences (General) - Abstract
The lunar magnesian-suite, or Mg-suite, is a series of ancient plutonic rocks from the lunar crust with ages and compositions indicating that they represent crust-building magmatism occurring immediately after the end of magma ocean crystallization. Samples of the Mg-suite were found at every Apollo landing site except 11 and ubiquitously have geochemical characteristics indicating the involvement of KREEP in their petrogenesis. This observation has led to the suggestion that the presence of the KREEP reservoir under the lunar nearside was responsible for this episode of crust building. The lack of any readily identifiable Mg-suite rocks in meteoritic regolith breccias sourced from outside the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT) seemingly supports this interpretation.
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- 2018
9. Orbital Characterization of the Composition and Distribution of Spinels Across the Crisium Region: Insight From Luna 20 Samples.
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Moriarty, D. P., Simon, S. B., Shearer, C. K., Haggerty, S. E., Petro, N., and Li, Shuai
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LUNAR surface ,LUNAR craters ,MINERALOGY ,SPINEL group ,REMOTE sensing ,SURFACES (Technology) ,SPINEL ,MINERALS - Abstract
Spinels represent a small fraction of lunar surface materials but provide important insights into the petrological evolution of the lunar crust and mantle. Previous remote sensing analyses of highlands spinel‐bearing lithologies have focused on pure Mg‐Al spinels, which are rare in the lunar sample collection. Using Moon Mineralogy Mapper data, we develop and test an approach for detecting spectral signatures of spinel across a wider range of Mg, Al, Fe, Cr, Ti‐bearing compositions than have been addressed in previous studies, including within mafic‐bearing assemblages. This approach is validated through integration with laboratory‐measured spinel spectra and petrographic observations of samples returned by the Luna 20 mission from the Hilly and Furrowed Terrain surrounding the Crisium Basin. Applying this approach to data from the Crisium region, small abundances of spinel (<∼5 vol%) with a range of Mg, Al, Fe, Cr, and Ti content and petrologic origin (inferred from Luna 20 samples) were found to be widespread within highlands soils across the Crisium region. This result diverges from previous remote sensing analyses, which only reported small, isolated exposures of pure Mg‐Al spinel (as well as a possible detection of Fe, Cr‐bearing spinels localized within pyroclastic materials at Sinus Aestuum). Geologic associations of candidate spinel detections across this region are consistent with a shallow crustal origin rather than excavation from depth during the Crisium‐forming impact. These spinels are detectible in near‐infrared spectroscopic data, particularly in areas of low optical maturity and may influence the spectral continuum of highlands soils. Plain Language Summary: Spinels are minerals that make up only a few percent of lunar surface rocks, but are interesting to lunar scientists because they reveal important details on how those rocks formed. Spinel minerals have a wide range of compositions, but previous satellite observations only focused on a few specific types of spinel. Recent measurements of spinels returned by the robotic Luna 20 mission helped us develop new tools to search for spinels in spacecraft images. Our new approach can detect a wider range of spinel compositions, and we observe that detectable spinel signatures are widespread across the lunar highlands surrounding the Crisium Basin. Key Points: Moon Mineralogy Mapper data can detect spinel signatures within lunar highlands soils including diverse spinel compositions and assemblagesThis approach was developed and validated through integration with laboratory spectra and petrographic studies of spinels in Luna 20 samplesDiverse spinel‐bearing assemblages are distributed across the lunar highlands, consistent with a shallow origin indicated by sample analyses [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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10. Feldspar Variability in Northwest Africa 7034
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Santos, A. R, Lewis, J. A, Agee, C. B, Humayun, M, McCubbin, F. M, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The martian meteorite Northwest Africa 7034 (and pairings) is a breccia that provides important information about the rocks and processes of the martian crust (e.g., 1-3). Additional information can be gleaned from the components of the breccia. These components, specifically those designated as clasts, record the history of their parent rock (i.e., the rock that has been physically broken down to produce the clasts). In order to study these parent rocks, we must first determine which clasts within the breccia are de-rived from the same parent. Previous studies have be-gun this process (e.g., 4), but the search for genetic linkages between clasts has not integrated clasts with different grain sizes. We begin to take this approach here, incorporating igneous-textured clasts with both fine and coarse mineral grains. In NWA 7034, almost all materials (clasts and breccia matrix) are composed of the same mineral assemblages (feldspar, pyroxene, Fe-Ti oxides, apatite) with largely the same mineral compositions [1, 4-6]. Bulk breccia Sm-Nd systematics define a single isochron [7]. These observations are consistent with a majority of the components within NWA 7034 originating from the same geochemical source and crystallizing at roughly the same time.
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- 2017
11. The Role of KREEP in the Production of Mg-Suite Magmas and Its Influence on the Extent of Mg-Suite Magmatism in the Lunar Crust
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Elardo, S. M, Shearer, C. K, and McCubbin, F. M
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The lunar magnesian-suite, or Mg-suite, is a series of ancient plutonic rocks from the lunar crust. They have received a considerable amount of attention from lunar scientists since their discovery for three primary reasons: 1) their ages and geochemistry indicate they represent pristine magmatic samples that crystallized very soon after the formation of the Moon; 2) their ages often overlap with ages of the ferroan anorthosite (FAN) crust; and 3) planetary-scale processes are needed in formation models to account for their unique geochemical features. Taken as a whole, the Mg-suite samples, as magmatic cumulate rocks, approximate a fractional crystallization sequence in the low-pressure forsterite-anorthite-silica system, and thus these samples are generally thought to be derived from layered mafic intrusions which crystallized very slowly from magmas that intruded the anorthositic crust. However, no direct linkages have been established between different Mg-suite samples based either on field relationships or geochemistry.The model for the origin of the Mg-suite, which best fits the limited available data, is one where Mg-suite magmas form from melting of a hybrid cumulate package consisting of deep mantle dunite, crustal anorthosite, and KREEP (potassium-rare earth elements-phosphorus) at the base of the crust under the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT). In this model, these three LMO (Lunar Magma Ocean) cumulate components are brought into close proximity by the cumulate overturn process. Deep mantle dunitic cumulates with an Mg number of approximately 90 rise to the base of the anorthositic crust due to their buoyancy relative to colder, more dense Fe- and Ti-rich cumulates. This hybridized source rock melts to form Mg-suite magmas, saturated in Mg-rich olivine and anorthitic plagioclase, that have a substantial KREEP component.
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- 2017
12. Distinct Chlorine Isotopic Reservoirs on Mars: Implications for Character, Extent and Relative Timing of Crustal Interaction with Mantle-Derived Magmas, Evolution of the Martian Atmosphere, and the Building Blocks of an Early Mars
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Shearer, C. K, Messenger, S, Sharp, Z. D, Burger, P. V, Nguyen, N, and McCubbin, F. M
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The style, magnitude, timing, and mixing components involved in the interaction between mantle derived Martian magmas and Martian crust have long been a point of debate. Understanding this process is fundamental to deciphering the composition of the Martian crust and its interaction with the atmosphere, the compositional diversity and oxygen fugacity variations in the Martian mantle, the bulk composition of Mars and the materials from which it accreted, and the noble gas composition of Mars and the Sun. Recent studies of the chlorine isotopic composition of Martian meteorites imply that although the variation in delta (sup 37) Cl is limited (total range of approximately14 per mille), there appears to be distinct signatures for the Martian crust and mantle. However, there are potential issues with this interpretation. New Cl isotope data from the SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) instrument on the Mars Science Lab indicate a very wide range of Cl isotopic compositions on the Martian surface. Recent measurements by [10] duplicated the results of [7,8], but placed them within the context of SAM surface data. In addition, Martian meteorite Chassigny contains trapped noble gases with isotopic ratios similar to solar abundance, and has long been considered a pristine, mantle derived sample. However, previous studies of apatite in Chassigny indicate that crustal fluids have interacted with regions interstitial to the cumulus olivine. The initial Cl isotope measurements of apatite in Chassigny suggest an addition of crustal component to this lithology, apparently contradicting the rare gas data. Here, we examine the Cl isotopic composition of multiple generations and textures of apatite in Chassigny to extricate the crustal and mantle components in this meteorite and to reveal the style and timing of the addition of crustal components to mantle-derived magmas. These data reveal distinct Martian Cl sources whose signatures have their origins linked to both the early Solar System and the evolving Martian atmosphere.
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- 2017
13. Ar-Ar Thermochronlogy of Apollo 12 Impact-Melt Breccia 12033,638-1
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Crow, C. A, Cassata, W. S, Jolliff, B. L, Ziegler, R. A, Borg, L. E, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
We have undertaken an Ar-Ar thermochronology investigation as part of a coordinated multichronometer analysis of a single Apollo 12 impact- melt breccia to demonstrate the wide range of information that can be obtained for a single complex rock. This has implications for the age of formation, component makeup, and subsequent impact/shock and exposure history of the sample. This study also serves as a capabilities demonstration for the proposed MoonRise Mission [1]. The goal of this investigation is to elucidate the history of this sample through coordinated 40Ar*/39Ar, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and zircon 207Pb-206Pb ages along with geochemical and petrographic context on a relatively small (approximately 450 mg) sample. Here, we report preliminary results of the Ar-Ar thermochronology.
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- 2017
14. The Chlorine Isotope Composition of the Moon and Implications for an Anhydrous Mantle
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Sharp, Z. D., Shearer, C. K., McKeegan, K. D., Barnes, J. D., and Wang, Y. Q.
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- 2010
15. Results of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) Gap Review: Specific Action Team (SAT), Examination of Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) for Human Exploration of the Moon
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Shearer, C. K, Eppler, D, Farrell, W, Gruener, J, Lawrence, S, Pellis, N, Spudis, P. D, Stopar, J, Zeigler, R, Neal, C, and Bussey, B
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Systems Analysis And Operations Research - Abstract
The Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) was tasked by the Human Exploration Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) to establish a Specific Action Team (SAT) to review lunar Strategic Knowledge Gaps (SKGs) within the context of new lunar data and some specific human mission scenarios. Within this review, the SAT was to identify the SKGs that have been fully or partially retired, identify new SKGs resulting from new data and observations, and review quantitative descriptions of measurements that are required to fill knowledge gaps, the fidelity of the measurements needed, and if relevant, provide examples of existing instruments or potential missions capable of filling the SKGs.
- Published
- 2016
16. Experimental Simulations of Lunar Magma Ocean Crystallization: The Plot (But Not the Crust) Thickens
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Draper, D. S, Rapp, J. F, Elardo, S. M, Shearer, C. K., Jr, and Neal, C. R
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Numerical models of differentiation of a global-scale lunar magma ocean (LMO) have raised as many questions as they have answered. Recent orbital missions and sample studies have provided new context for a large range of lithologies, from the comparatively magnesian "purest anorthosite" reported by to Si-rich domes and spinel-rich clasts with widespread areal distributions. In addition, the GRAIL mission provided strong constraints on lunar crustal density and average thickness. Can this increasingly complex geology be accounted for via the formation and evolution of the LMO? We have in recent years been conducting extensive sets of petrologic experiments designed to fully simulate LMO crystallization, which had not been attempted previously. Here we review the key results from these experiments, which show that LMO differentiation is more complex than initial models suggested. Several important features expected from LMO crystallization models have yet to be reproduced experimentally; combined modelling and experimental work by our group is ongoing.
- Published
- 2016
17. Moonrise: Sampling the South Pole-Aitken Basin to Address Problems of Solar System Significance
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Zeigler, R. A, Jolliff, B. L, Korotev, R. L, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
A mission to land in the giant South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin on the Moon's southern farside and return a sample to Earth for analysis is a high priority for Solar System Science. Such a sample would be used to determine the age of the SPA impact; the chronology of the basin, including the ages of basins and large impacts within SPA, with implications for early Solar System dynamics and the magmatic history of the Moon; the age and composition of volcanic rocks within SPA; the origin of the thorium signature of SPA with implications for the origin of exposed materials and thermal evolution of the Moon; and possibly the magnetization that forms a strong anomaly especially evident in the northern parts of the SPA basin. It is well known from studies of the Apollo regolith that rock fragments found in the regolith form a representative collection of many different rock types delivered to the site by the impact process (Fig. 1). Such samples are well documented to contain a broad suite of materials that reflect both the local major rock formations, as well as some exotic materials from far distant sources. Within the SPA basin, modeling of the impact ejection process indicates that regolith would be dominated by SPA substrate, formed at the time of the SPA basin-forming impact and for the most part moved around by subsequent impacts. Consistent with GRAIL data, the SPA impact likely formed a vast melt body tens of km thick that took perhaps several million years to cool, but that nonetheless represents barely an instant in geologic time that should be readily apparent through integrated geochronologic studies involving multiple chronometers. It is anticipated that a statistically significant number of age determinations would yield not only the age of SPA but also the age of several prominent nearby basins and large craters within SPA. This chronology would provide a contrast to the Imbrium-dominated chronology of the nearside Apollo samples and an independent test of the timing of the lunar cataclysm.
- Published
- 2016
18. Examining Metasomatism in Low fO2 Environments: Exploring Sulfidation Reactions in Various Planetary Bodies
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Srinivasan, P, Shearer, C. K, McCubbin, F. M, Bell, A. S, and Agee, C. B
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Inorganic, Organic And Physical Chemistry ,Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Hydrothermal systems are common on Earth in a variety of tectonic environments and at different temperature and pressure conditions. These systems are commonly dominated by H2O, and they are responsible for element transport and the production of ore deposits. Unlike the Earth (fO2~FMQ), many other planetary bodies (e.g., Moon and asteroids) have fO2 environments that are more reduced (IW+/-2), and H2O is not the important solvent responsible for element transport. One example of a texture that could result from element transport and metasomatism, which appears to occur on numerous planetary bodies, is sulfide-silicate intergrowths. These subsolidus assemblages are interpreted to form as a result of sulfidation reactions from a S-rich fluid phase. The composition of fluids may vary within and among parent bodies and could be sourced from magmatic (e.g. Moon) or impact processes (e.g. HED meteorites and Moon). For example, it has been previously demonstrated on the Moon that the interaction of olivine with a hydrogen- and sulfur-bearing vapor phase altered primary mineral assemblages, producing sulfides (e.g. troilite) and orthopyroxene. Formation of these types of "sulfidation" assemblages can be illustrated with the following reaction: Fe2SiO4(ol) + 1/2 S(2 system) = FeS(troi)+ FeSiO3(opx) + 1/2 O2 system. The products of this reaction, as seen in lunar rocks, is a vermicular or "worm-like" texture of intergrown orthopyroxene and troilite. Regardless of the provenance of the S-bearing fluid, the minerals in these various planetary environments reacted in the same manner to produce orthopyroxene and troilite. Although similar textures have been identified in a variety of parent bodies, a comparative study on the compositions and the origins of these sulfide-silicate assemblages has yet to be undertaken. The intent of this study is to examine and compare sulfide-silicate intergrowths from various planetary bodies to explore their petrogenesis and examine the nature of low fO2 (IW+/-2) element migration and sulfidation reactions.
- Published
- 2016
19. Northwest Africa 8535 and Northwest Africa 10463: New Insights into the Angrite Parent Body
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Santos, A. R, Agee, C. B, Shearer, C. K, and McCubbin, F. M
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Geophysics - Abstract
The angrite meteorites are valuable samples of igneous rocks formed early in Solar System history (approx.4.56 Ga, summarized in [1]). This small meteorite group (approx.24 individually named specimens) consists of rocks with somewhat exotic mineral compositions (e.g., high Ca olivine, Al-Ti-bearing diopside-hedenbergite, calcium silico-phosphates), resulting in exotic bulk rock compositions. These mineral assemblages remain fairly consistent among angrite samples, which suggests they formed due to similar processes from a single mantle source. There is still debate over the formation process for these rocks (see summary in [1]), and analysis of additional angrite samples may help to address this debate. Toward this end, we have begun to study two new angrites, Northwest Africa 8535, a dunite, and Northwest Africa 10463, a basaltic angrite.
- Published
- 2016
20. Petrogenesis of Igneous-Textured Clasts in Martian Meteorite Northwest Africa 7034
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Santos, A. R, Agee, C. B, Humayun, M, McCubbin, F. M, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The martian meteorite Northwest Africa 7034 (and pairings) is a breccia that samples a variety of materials from the martian crust. Several previous studies have identified multiple types of igneous-textured clasts within the breccia [1-3], and these clasts have the potential to provide insight into the igneous evolution of Mars. One challenge presented by studying these small rock fragments is the lack of field context for this breccia (i.e., where on Mars it formed), so we do not know how many sources these small rock fragments are derived from or the exact formation his-tory of these sources (i.e., are the sources mantle de-rived melt or melts contaminated by a meteorite impactor on Mars). Our goal in this study is to examine specific igneous-textured clast groups to determine if they are petrogenetically related (i.e., from the same igneous source) and determine more information about their formation history, then use them to derive new insights about the igneous history of Mars. We will focus on the basalt clasts, FTP clasts (named due to their high concentration of iron, titanium, and phosphorous), and mineral fragments described by [1] (Fig. 1). We will examine these materials for evidence of impactor contamination (as proposed for some materials by [2]) or mantle melt derivation. We will also test the petrogenetic models proposed in [1], which are igneous processes that could have occurred regardless of where the melt parental to the clasts was formed. These models include 1) derivation of the FTP clasts from a basalt clast melt through silicate liquid immiscibility (SLI), 2) derivation of the FTP clasts from a basalt clast melt through fractional crystallization, and 3) a lack of petrogenetic relationship between these clast groups. The relationship between the clast groups and the mineral fragments will also be explored.
- Published
- 2016
21. The Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Redox State of Multivalent Cations During the Crystallization of Primitive Shergottitic Liquids at Various (f)O2. Insights into the (f)O2 Fugacity of the Martian Mantle and Crustal Influences on Redox Conditions of Martian Magmas.
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Shearer, C. K, Bell, A. S, Burger, P. V, Papike, J. J, Jones, J, Le, L, and Muttik, N
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The (f)O2 [oxygen fugacity] of crystallization for martian basalts has been estimated in various studies to range from IW-1 to QFM+4 [1-3]. A striking geochemical feature of the shergottites is the large range in initial Sr isotopic ratios and initial epsilon(sup Nd) values. Studies by observed that within the shergottite group the (f)O2 [oxygen fugacity] of crystallization is highly correlated with these chemical and isotopic characteristics with depleted shergottites generally crystallizing at reduced conditions and enriched shergottites crystallizing under more oxidizing conditions. More recent work has shown that (f)O2 [oxygen fugacity] changed during the crystallization of these magmas from one order of magnitude in Y980459 (Y98) to several orders of magnitude in Larkman Nunatak 06319. These real or apparent variations within single shergottitic magmas have been attributed to mixing of a xenocrystic olivine component, volatile loss-water disassociation, auto-oxidation during crystallization of mafic phases, and assimilation of an oxidizing crustal component (e.g. sulfate). In contrast to the shergottites, augite basalts such as NWA 8159 are highly depleted yet appear to be highly oxidized (e.g. QFM+4). As a first step in attempting to unravel petrologic complexities that influence (f)O2 [oxygen fugacity] in martian magmas, this study explores the effect of (f)O2 [oxygen fugacity] on the liquid line of descent (LLD) for a primitive shergottite liquid composition (Y98). The results of this study will provide a fundamental basis for reconstructing the record of (f)O2 [oxygen fugacity] in shergottites and other martian basalts, its effect on both mineral chemistries and valence state partitioning, and a means for examining the role of crystallization (and other more complex processes) on the petrologic linkages between olivine-phyric and pyroxene-plagioclase shergottites.
- Published
- 2016
22. Alteration of Sedimentary Clasts in Martian Meteorite Northwest Africa 7034
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McCubbin, F. M, Tartese, R, Santos, A. R, Domokos, G, Muttik, N, Szabo, T, Vazquez, J, Boyce, J. W, Keller, L. P, Jerolmack, D. J, Anand, M, Moser, D. E, Delhaye, T, Shearer, C. K, and Agee, C. B
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The martian meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 and pairings represent the first brecciated hand sample available for study from the martian surface [1]. Detailed investigations of NWA 7034 have revealed substantial lithologic diversity among the clasts [2-3], making NWA 7034 a polymict breccia. NWA 7034 consists of igneous clasts, impact-melt clasts, and "sedimentary" clasts represented by prior generations of brecciated material. In the present study we conduct a detailed textural and geochemical analysis of the sedimentary clasts.
- Published
- 2014
23. Looking for a Source of Water in Martian Basltic Breccia NWA 7034
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Muttik, N, Agee, C. B, McCubbin, F. M, McCuttcheon, W. A, Provencio, P. P, Keller, L. P, Santos, A. R, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The recently described martian meteorite NWA 7034 has high water content compared to other SNC meteorites. Deuterium to hydrogen isotope ratio measurements indicates that there are two distinct delta-D components in NWA 7034, a low temperature (150-500degC) light component around -100per mille and a high temperature (300-1000degC) heavy component around +300per mille. NWA 7034 contains iron-rich phases that are likely secondary aqueous alteration products. They are commonly found as spheroidal objects of various sizes that are often rich in Fe-Ti oxides and possibly iron hydroxides. Iron oxides and oxyhydroxides are very common in weathered rocks and soils on Earth and Mars and they are important components of terrestrial and Martian dust. In NWA 7034 iron-rich phases are found throughout the fine-grained basaltic groundmass of the meteorite. The total amount of martian H2O in NWA 7034 is reported to be 6000 ppm, and in this study we attempt to determine the phase distribution of this H2O by texturally describing and characterizing hydrous phases in NWA 7034, using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
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- 2014
24. Valence State Partitioning of V between Pyroxene and Melt for Martian Melt Compositions Y 980459 and QUE 94201: The Effect of Pyroxene Composition and Crystal Structure
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Papike, J. J, Burger, P. V, Bell, A. S, Shearer, C. K, Le, Loan, and Jones, J
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration ,Chemistry And Materials (General) - Abstract
A spiked (with REE, V, Sc) martian basalt Y980459 composition was used to synthesize olivine, spinel, and pyroxene at 1200 C at 5 oxygen fugacities: IW-1, IW, IW+1, IW+2, and QFM. The high spike levels for REE were used for two specific reasons. First, we wanted to be able to analyze REE by both electron microprobe and ion probe. Second, we wanted the most important "Others" components, (i.e., those outside the pyroxene quadrilateral such as Al, Cr3+, Fe3+, REE3+, V3+, V4+, etc.) to be REE3+Mg (Si,Al)2O6. At the doped levels we used, the most important "Others" component is REE3+ in the M2 site coupled with Al in the tetrahedral site. The goal of this paper is to explain the significant increase in the value of D(sub V)(sup pyroxene/melt) with increased Wo content of the pyroxene. We compare augite (Wo approx. 33), pigeonite (Wo approx. 13) and orthopyroxene (Wo approx 3.8). We also show olivine for comparison. The crystal chemical factors which account for this remarkable increase of DV with Wo are twofold. First, with Ca in the M2 site (as in diopside, CaMgSi2O6) the site is large and 8-coordinated while Mg in the M2 site (as in enstatite, Mg2Si2O6) the site is smaller and 6- coordinated. Second, tetrahedral Al in the pyroxene chains provides charge balance and makes the M2 site larger and more compliant for the introduction of REE.
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- 2014
25. Chromium Oxidation State in Planetary Basalts: Oxygen Fugacity Indicator and Critical Variable for Cr-Spinel Stability
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Bell, A. S, Burger, P. V, Le, Loan, Papike, J. J, Jone, J, and Shearer, C. K
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Geophysics ,Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Cr is a ubiquitous and relatively abundant minor element in basaltic, planetary magmas. At the reduced oxidation states (
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- 2014
26. The Effects of Oxygen Fugacity on the Crystallization Sequence and Cr Partitioning of an Analog Y-98 Liquid
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Bell, A. S, Burger, P. V, Le, Loan, Papike, J. J, Jones, J, and Shearer, C. K
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Geophysics - Abstract
Interpreting the relationship between "enriched" olivine-phyric shergottites (e.g. NWA 1068/1110) and the "enriched" pyroxene-plagioclase shergottites (e.g. Shergotty, Los Angeles) is problematic. Symes et al. [1] and Shearer et al. [2]) proposed that the basaltic magma that crystallized to produce olivine-phyric shergottite NWA 1068/1110 could produce pyroxene-plagioclase shergottites with additional fractional crystallization. However, additional observations indicate that the relationship among the enriched shergottites may be more complex [1-3]. For example, Herd [3] concluded that some portion of the olivine megacrysts in this meteorite was xenocrystic in origin, seemingly derived from more reduced basaltic liquids. This conclusion may imply that a variety of complex processes such as magma mixing, entrainment, and assimilation may play important roles in the petrologic history of these meteorites. It is therefore possible that these processes have obscured the petrogenetic linkages between the enriched olivine-phyric shergottites and the pyroxene-plagioclase shergottites. As a first order step in attempting to unravel these petrologic complexities, this study focuses upon exploring the effect of fO2 on the crystallization history for an analog primitive shergottite liquid composition (Y98). Results from this work will provide a basis for reconstructing the record of fO2 in shergottites, its effect on both mineral chemistries and valence state partitioning, and a means for examining the role of crystallization on the petrologic linkages between olivine-phyric and pyroxene-plagioclase shergottites. A companion abstract [4] explores the behavior of V over this range of fO2.
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- 2013
27. A New Spinel-Olivine Oxybarometer: Near-Liquidus Partitioning of V between Olivine-Melt, Spinel-Melt, and Spinel-Olivine in Martian Basalt Composition Y980459 as a Function of Oxygen Fugacity
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Papike, J. J, Le, L, Burger, P. V, Shearer, C. K, Bell, A. S, and Jones, J
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Our research on valence state partitioning began in 2005 with a review of Cr, Fe, Ti, and V partitioning among crystallographic sites in olivine, pyroxene, and spinel [1]. That paper was followed by several on QUE94201 melt composition and specifically on Cr, V, and Eu partitioning between pyroxene and melt [2-5]. This paper represents the continuation of our examination of the partitioning of multivalent V between olivine, spinel, and melt in martian olivine-phyric basalts of Y980459 composition [6, 7]. Here we introduce a new, potentially powerful oxybarometer, V partitioning between spinel and olivine, which can be used when no melt is preserved in the meteorite. The bulk composition of QUE94201 was ideal for our study of martian pyroxene-phyric basalts and specifically the partitioning between pyroxene-melt for Cr, V, and Eu. Likewise, bulk composition Y980459 is ideal for the study of martian olivine-phyric basalts and specifically for olivine-melt, spinel-melt, and spinel-olivine partitioning of V as a function of oxygen fugacity.
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- 2013
28. Sampling South Pole-Aitken Basin: The Moonrise Approach
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Jolliff, B. L, Shearer, C. K, and Cohen, B. A
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The South Pole-Aitken basin (SPA) is the largest of the giant impact basins in the inner Solar System, and its location on Earth s Moon makes it the most accessible. Exploration of SPA through direct collection and analysis of representative materials addresses issues as fundamental as the characteristics of the chemical reservoir from which the Moon originated, early differentiation and production of crust and development of global asymmetry, relationships between magmatic activity and internal thermal evolution, and effects of giant impact events on the terrestrial planets. Owing to its great size and superposition relationships with other lunar impact basins, SPA is the oldest and as such anchors the lunar chronology. Moreover, numerous large impact craters and basins are contained within it such that materials (rocks) of the SPA basin contain a record of the early impact chronology, one less likely to have been affected by the large, late nearside basins (e.g., Imbrium). Understanding the early basin chronology is key to deciphering the sequence and effects of early giant impact bombardment of the inner Solar System. That record exists on the Moon, and materials of the SPA basin will allow us to read that record. Knowledge of the early bombardment history will test - and may reshape - a key paradigm relating to early Solar System evolution. Did the planets form with the alignment of today, or was there a major reorientation of the giant planets that led to destabilization of asteroid orbits, and a cataclysmic bombardment of the inner Solar System hundreds of millions of years after accretion of the planets? Implications include understanding environments for early life-supporting habitats on Earth and Mars, and relationships to new observations of extra-solar planetary systems.
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- 2012
29. Effect of Sulfur on Siderophile Element Partitioning Between Olivine and Martian Primary Melt
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Usui, T, Shearer, C. K, Righter, K, and Jones, J. H
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Geophysics - Abstract
Since olivine is a common early crystallizing phase in basaltic magmas that have produced planetary and asteroidal crusts, a number of experimental studies have investigated elemental partitioning between olivine and silicate melt [e.g., 1, 2, 3]. In particular, olivine/melt partition coefficients of Ni and Co (DNi and DCo) have been intensively studied because these elements are preferentially partitioned into olivine and thus provide a uniquely useful insight into the basalt petrogenesis [e.g., 4, 5]. However, none of these experimental studies are consistent with incompatible signatures of Co [e.g., 6, 7, 8] and Ni [7] in olivines from Martian meteorites. Chemical analyses of undegassed MORB samples suggest that S dissolved in silicate melts can reduce DNi up to 50 % compared to S-free experimental systems [9]. High S solubility (up to 4000 ppm) for primitive shergottite melts [10] implies that S might have significantly influenced the Ni and Co partitioning into shergottite olivines. This study conducts melting experiments on Martian magmatic conditions to investigate the effect of S on the partitioning of siderophile elements between olivine and Martian primary melt.
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- 2011
30. Valence State Partitioning of Cr and V Between Pyroxene - Melt: Estimates of Oxygen Fugacity for Martian Basalt QUE 94201
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Karner, J. M, Papike, J. J, Shearer, C. K, McKay, G, Le, L, and Burger, P
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Several studies, using different oxybarometers, have suggested that the variation of fO2 in martian basalts spans about 3 log units from approx. IW-1 to IW+2. The relatively oxidized basalts (e.g., pyroxene-phyric Shergotty) are enriched in incompatible elements, while the relatively reduced basalts (e.g., olivine-phyric Y980459) are depleted in incompatible elements. A popular interpretation of the above observations is that the martian mantle contains two reservoirs; 1) oxidized and enriched, and 2) reduced and depleted. The basalts are thus thought to represent mixing between these two reservoirs. Recently, Shearer et al. determined the fO2 of primitive olivine-phyric basalt Y980459 to be IW+0.9 using the partitioning of V between olivine and melt. In applying this technique to other basalts, Shearer et al. concluded that the martian mantle shergottite source was depleted and varied only slightly in fO2 (IW to IW+1). Thus the more oxidized, enriched basalts had assimilated a crustal component on their path to the martian surface. In this study we attempt to address the above debate on martian mantle fO2 using the partitioning of Cr and V into pyroxene in pyroxene-phyric basalt QUE 94201.
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- 2007
31. Evolution of the Moon’s Mantle and Crust as Reflected in Trace-Element Microbeam Studies of Lunar Magmatism
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Shearer, C. K., primary and Floss, C., additional
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- 2000
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32. Oxygen Fugacity of the Upper Mantle of Mars. Evidence from the Partitioning Behavior of Vanadium in Y980459 (Y98) and other Olivine-Phyric Shergottites
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Shearer, C. K, McKay, G. A, Papike, J. J, and Karner, J
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Using partitioning behavior of V between olivine and basaltic liquid precisely calibrated for martian basalts, we determined the redox state of primitive (olivine-rich, high Mg#) martian basalts near their liquidus. The combination of oxidation state and incompatible element characteristics determined from early olivine indicates that correlations between fO2 and other geochemical characteristics observed in many martian basalts is also a fundamental characteristic of these primitive magmas. However, our data does not exhibit the range of fO2 observed in these previous studies.. We conclude that the fO2 for the martian upper mantle is approximately IW+1 and is incompatible-element depleted. It seems most likely (although clearly open to interpretation) that these mantle-derived magmas assimilated a more oxidizing (>IW+3), incompatible-element enriched, lower crustal component as they ponded at the base of the martian crust.
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- 2006
33. The Martian Soil as a Geochemical Sink for Hydrothermally Altered Crustal Rocks and Mobile Elements: Implications of Early MER Results
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Newsom, H. E, Nelson, M. J, Shearer, C. K, and Draper, D. S
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Hydrothermal and aqueous alteration can explain some of the exciting results from the MER team s analyses of the martian soil, including the major elements, mobile elements, and the nickel enrichment. Published results from the five lander missions lead to the following conclusions: 1) The soil appears to be globally mixed and basaltic with only small local variations in chemistry. Relative to martian basaltic meteorites and Gusev rocks the soils are depleted in the fluid-mobile element calcium, but only slightly enriched to somewhat depleted in iron oxide. 2) The presence of olivine in the soils based on M ssbauer data argues that the soil is only partly weathered and is more akin to a lunar regolith than a terrestrial soil. 3) The presence of bromine along with sulfur and chlorine in the soils is consistent with addition of a mobile element component to the soil.
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- 2005
34. Comparative Planetary Mineralogy: Co, Ni Systematics in Chromite from Planetary Basalts
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Karner, J. M, Shearer, C. K, Papike, J. J, and Righter,K
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Geophysics - Abstract
Spinel is a minor but important phase in planetary basalts because its variable composition often reflects basalt petrogenesis. For example, complicated zoning trends in spinel can give clues to melt evolution [1], and V concentrations in chromite lend insight into magma oxygen fugacity (fO2) conditions [2]. Nickel and Co are two elements that are commonly used as a measure of melt fractionation, and their partitioning between olivine and melt is fairly well understood. Less clear is their partitioning into spinel, although [3] has explored Ni and Co systematics in experimental charges. This study documents Ni and Co behavior in early crystallizing spinel (chromite) from several planetary basalts in an attempt to compare our results with [3], and also gain insight into basalt evolution on the three planets.
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- 2005
35. Hydrothermal Processes and Mobile Element Transport in Martian Impact Craters - Evidence from Terrestrial Analogue Craters
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Newsom, H. E, Nelson, M. J, Shearer, C. K, and Dressler, B. L
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Hydrothermal alteration and chemical transport involving impact craters probably occurred on Mars throughout its history. Our studies of alteration products and mobile element transport in ejecta blanket and drill core samples from impact craters show that these processes may have contributed to the surface composition of Mars. Recent work on the Chicxulub Yaxcopoil-1 drill core has provided important information on the relative mobility of many elements that may be relevant to Mars. The Chicxulub impact structure in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the largest impact craters identified on the Earth, has a diameter of 180-200 km, and is associated with the mass extinctions at the K/T boundary. The Yax-1 hole was drilled in 2001 and 2002 on the Yaxcopoil hacienda near Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula. Yax-1 is located just outside of the transient cavity, which explains some of the unusual characteristics of the core stratigraphy. No typical impact melt sheet was encountered in the hole and most of the Yax-1 impactites are breccias. In particular, the impact melt and breccias are only 100 m thick which is surprising taking into account the considerably thicker breccia accumulations towards the center of the structure and farther outside the transient crater encountered by other drill holes.
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- 2005
36. Hydrothermal Alteration at Lonar Crater, India and Elemental Variations in Impact Crater Clays
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Newsom, H. E, Nelson, M. J, Shearer, C. K, Misra, S, and Narasimham, V
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The role of hydrothermal alteration and chemical transport involving impact craters could have occurred on Mars, the poles of Mercury and the Moon, and other small bodies. We are studying terrestrial craters of various sizes in different environments to better understand aqueous alteration and chemical transport processes. The Lonar crater in India (1.8 km diameter) is particularly interesting being the only impact crater in basalt. In January of 2004, during fieldwork in the ejecta blanket around the rim of the Lonar crater we discovered alteration zones not previously described at this crater. The alteration of the ejecta blanket could represent evidence of localized hydrothermal activity. Such activity is consistent with the presence of large amounts of impact melt in the ejecta blanket. Map of one area on the north rim of the crater containing highly altered zones at least 3 m deep is shown.
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- 2005
37. Li, B - Behavior in Lunar Basalts During Shock and Thermal Metamorphism: Implications for H2O in Martian Magmas
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Chaklader, Johny, Shearer, C. K, and Horz, F
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
Introduction: The water-content of Martian magmas is a topic of debate among researchers. Some Martian basalts are characterized with melt inclusions of biotite, apatite and amphibole; phases typically associated with hydration reactions on Earth [1-3]. However, the H-content of melt inclusions from these basalts is low, and bulk-rock H2O-contents range from a meager 0.013 to 0.035 wt. % in Shergotty [4]. Nonetheless, researchers note that low present-day water contents do not preclude a once hydrous past [5]. Since light lithophile elements (LLE), such as Li and B, partition into aqueous fluids at T > 350 C, workers proposed that Li-B depletions in pyroxene rims of Nakhlite and Shergottite basalts reflect the loss of several weight percent water from Martian magmas during crystallization [6]. Since similar depletions were observed in pyroxene rims from completely dry lunar basalts, it is likely that alternative mechanisms also contribute to the distribution of elements such as Li and B [7]. Given that many Martian basalts have experienced considerable shock pressures (15-45 GPa), it is possible that shock and subsequent thermal metamorphism may have influenced the volatile element records of these basalts [8]. In order to better understand the distribution of Li and B, we are studying the effects of crystal chemistry, shock pressure, and thermal metamorphism in pyroxenes from lunar basalts. Below, we discuss results from experimentally shocked and thermally metamorphosed Apollo 11, 10017 (A-11) and Apollo 17, 75035 (A-17) basalts.
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- 2005
38. Comparative Planetary Mineralogy: Valence State Partitioning of Cr, Fe, Ti, and V Among Crystallographic Sites in Olivine, Pyroxene, and Spinel from Planetary Basalts
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Papike, J. J, Karner, J. M, and Shearer, C. K
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Geophysics - Abstract
We have considered the valence-state partitioning of Cr, Fe, Ti, and V over crystallographic sites in olivine, pyroxene, and spinel from planetary basalts. The sites that accommodate these cations are the M2 site (6-8 coordinated) and M1 site (6 coordinated) in pyroxene, the M2 site (6-8 coordinated) and M1 site (6 coordinated) in olivine, and the tetrahedral and octahedral sites in spinel. The samples we studied are basalts from Earth, Moon, and Mars, which have fO2 conditions that range from IW-2 (Moon) to IW+6 (Earth) with Mars somewhere between at IW to IW+2. In this range of fO2 the significant elemental valences are (from low to high fO2) Ti4+, V3+, Fe2+, Cr2+, Cr3+, V3+, V4+, and Fe3+. V2+ and Ti3+ play a minor role in the phases considered for the Moon, and are probably in very low concentrations. V5+ plays a minor role in these phases in terrestrial basalts because it is probably in lower abundance than V4+ and it has an ionic radii that is so small (0.054 nm, 6- coordinated,[1]) that it is almost at the lower limit for octahedral coordination. The role of Cr2+ in the Moon is significant, as Sutton et al. [2] found that lunar olivine contains mostly Cr2+ while coexisting pyroxene contains mostly Cr3+. Hanson one vacancy only accommodates one V4+. Thus more vacancies are required in V4+ substitutions into olivine. In the Moon V3+ is much more abundant than V4+ [7, 8]. Thus in lunar chromite V3+ follows Cr3+, whereas in Earth V4+ (which is much greater in abundance than V3+) follows Ti4+ (eg in ulv spinel). We could go on in this vein for some time but space limitations do not permit us to do so.
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- 2005
39. Determining the Oxygen Fugacity of Lunar Pyroclastic Glasses Using Vanadium Valence - An Update
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Karner, J. M, Sutton, S. R, Papike, J. J, Shearer, C. K, Jones, J. H, and Newville, M
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
We have been developing an oxygen barometer based on the valence state of V (V(2+), V(3+), V(4+), and V(5+)) in solar system basaltic glasses. The V valence is determined by synchrotron micro x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), which uses x-ray absorption associated with core-electronic transitions (absorption edges) to reveal a pre-edge peak whose intensity is directly proportional to the valence state of an element. XANES has advantages over other techniques that determine elemental valence because measurements can be made non-destructively in air and in situ on conventional thin sections at a micrometer spatial resolution with elemental sensitivities of approx. 100 ppm. Recent results show that fO2 values derived from the V valence technique are consistent with fO2 estimates determined by other techniques for materials that crystallized above the IW buffer. The fO2's determined by V valence (IW-3.8 to IW-2) for the lunar pyroclastic glasses, however, are on the order of 1 to 2.8 log units below previous estimates. Furthermore, the calculated fO2's decrease with increasing TiO2 contents from the A17 VLT to the A17 Orange glasses. In order to investigate these results further, we have synthesized lunar green and orange glasses and examined them by XANES.
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- 2004
40. Low Abundances of Highly Siderophile Elements in the Lunar Mantle: Evidence for Prolonged Late Accretion
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Walker, R. J, Horan, M. F, Shearer, C. K, and Papike, J. J
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The highly siderophile elements (HSE: including Re, Au, Ir, Os, Ru, Pt, Pd, Rh) are strongly partitioned into metal relative to silicates. In the terrestrial planets these elements are concentrated in metallic cores. Earth s mantle has sufficiently high abundances of the HSE (~0.008 times CI abundances) that it has been hypothesized approximately 0.1-0.5% of the mass of the Earth was added following the last major interaction between the core and mantle [e.g. 1]. The additional material added to the Earth and Moon has been termed a late veneer , and the process has often been termed late accretion [2]. The timing of the dominant late accretionary period of the Earth and Moon is still poorly known. The abundances of HSE in the lunar mantle could provide important constraints on when the late veneer was added. The material that ultimately became the silicate portion of the Moon was likely stripped of most of its HSE prior to and during coalescence of the Moon. Consequently the initial lunar mantle likely had very low concentrations of the HSE. Unlike Earth, the generation of permanent lunar crust by ~4.4 Ga prevented subsequent additions of HSE to the lunar mantle via continued accretion. Thus, if a substantial portion of the late veneer was added after 4.4 Ga, the lunar mantle should have retained very low HSE concentrations. Conversely, if the late veneer was mostly added prior to 4.4 Ga, HSE abundances in the lunar mantle may be roughly similar to abundances in the terrestrial mantle.
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- 2004
41. Comparative Planetary Mineralogy: V/(Cr+Al) Systematics in Chromites as an Indicator of Relative Oxygen Fugacity
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Papike, J. J, Kamer, J. M, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
As our contribution to the new "Oxygen in the Solar System" initiative of the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the NASA Cosmochemistry Program, we have been developing oxygen barometers based largely on behavior of V which can occur in four valence states V2+, V3+, V4+, and V5+, and record at least 8 orders of magnitude of fO2. Our first efforts in measuring these valence proportions were by XANES techniques in basaltic glasses from Earth, Moon, and Mars. We now address the behavior of V valence states in chromite in basalts from Earth, Moon, and Mars. We have been looking for a "V in chromite oxybarometer" that works with data collected by the electron microprobe and thus is readily accessible to a large segment of the planetary materials community. This paper describes very early results that will be refined over the next two years.
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- 2004
42. Major and Trace Element Variations in Impact Crater Clay from Chicxulub, Lonar, and Mistastin, Implications for the Martian Soil
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Newsom, H. E, Nelson, M. J, Shearer, C. K, Rietmeijer, F. J. M, Gakin, R, and Lee, K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The catastrophic Chicxulub event should have generated a large hydrothermal system with volatile element mobilization, producing interesting alteration materials and clays. The Yaxcopoil-1 (YAX) drill hole is located in the annular trough, about 70 km southwest of the crater center, in an area where the impactite layers are relatively thin (approx. 100 m thick). We have analyzed samples from the YAX drill core and from other impact craters including Mistastin and Lonar to determine the nature of alteration and trace element mobilization.
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- 2004
43. Oxygen Fugacity of Mare Basalts and the Lunar Mantle Application of a New Microscale Oxybarometer Based on the Valence State of Vanadium
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Shearer, C. K, Karner, J, Papike, J. J, and Sutton, S. R
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Geophysics - Abstract
The ability to estimate oxygen fugacities for mare basalts and to extend these observations to the lunar mantle is limited using bulk analysis techniques based on buffering assemblages or the valence state of iron. These limitations are due to reequilibration of mineral assemblages at subsolidus conditions, deviations of mineral compositions from thermodynamic ideality, size requirements, and the limits of the iron valence at very low fO2. Still, these approaches have been helpful and indicate that mare basalts crystallized at fO2 between the iron-w stite buffer (IW) and the ilmenite breakdown reaction (ilmenite = rutile + iron). It has also been inferred from these estimates that the lunar mantle is also highly reduced lying at conditions below IW. Generally, these data cannot be used to determine if the mare basalts become increasingly reduced during transport from their mantle source and eruption at the lunar surface and if there are differences in fO2 among mare basalts or mantle sources. One promising approach to determining the fO2 of mare basalts is using the mean valence of vanadium (2+, 3+, 4+, 5+) determined on spots of a few micrometers in diameter using synchrotron x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. The average valence state of V in basaltic glasses is a function of fO2, temperature, V coordination, and melt composition. Here, we report the initial results of this approach applied to lunar pyroclastic glasses.
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- 2004
44. Volatile Behavior in Lunar and Terrestrial Basalts During Shock: Implications for Martian Magmas
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Chaklader, Johny, Shearer, C. K, Hoerz, F, and Newsom, H. E
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The amount of water in martian magmas has significant ramifications for the martian atmosphere-hydrosphere cycle. Large D-enrichments have been observed in kaersutitic amphiboles in Zagami, Chassigny and Shergotty meteorites (delta-D values up to 4400 per mil) suggesting that substantial amounts of H escaped Mars in its past. Furthermore, martian meteorites with inclusions of biotite and apatite imply possible origins in a hydrous mantle. However, whether martian magmas ever possessed considerable proportions of water remains controversial and unclear. The H-content of mica and amphibole melt inclusions has been found to be low, while bulk-rock H2O content is also low ranging from 0.013 to 0.035 wt. % in Shergotty. Hydrous martian magmas were considered responsible for light lithophile element (LLE) zoning patterns observed in Nakhlite and Shergottite pyroxenes. Since LLEs, such as Li and B, partition into aqueous fluids at temperatures greater than 350 C, workers interpreted Li-B depletions in pyroxene rims as evidence that supercritical fluid exsolution occurred during magma degassing. In that many martian basalts experienced substantial shock (15-45 GPa) it is possible that the magmatic volatile record preserved in martian basalts has been disturbed. Previous shock experiments suggest that shock processes may effect water content and H/D. To better understand the possible effects of shock on this volatile record, we are studying the redistribution of volatile elements in naturally and experimentally shocked basalts. Here, we report the initial results from shocked basalts associated with the Lonar Crater, India and an experimentally shocked lunar basalt.
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- 2004
45. A New Oxygen Barometer for Solar System Basaltic Glasses Based on Vanadium Valence
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Karner, J. M, Sutton, S. R, Papike, S. R, Delaney, J. S, Shearer, C. K, Newville, M, Eng, P, Rivers, M, and Dyar, M. D
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The determination of oxidation conditions for basaltic magmas derived by the melting of planetary mantles is critical to our understanding of the nature and evolution of planetary interiors. Yet, these determinations are compromised in terrestrial and especially extraterrestrial basalts by our analytical and computational methods for estimating oxygen fugacity (fO2). For example, mineralogical barometers (1, 2) can be reduced in effectiveness by subsolidus re-equilibration of mineral assemblages, inversion of mineralogical data to melt characteristics, and deviations of the natural mineral compositions from ideal thermodynamic parameters.
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- 2004
46. Potential climate signals from the deep-sea gorgonian coral Primnoa resedaeformis
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Heikoop, J. M., Hickmott, D. D., Risk, M. J., Shearer, C. K., and Atudorei, V.
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- 2002
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47. Chapter 1. THE PLANETARY SAMPLE SUITE AND ENVIRONMENTS OF ORIGIN
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Shearer, C. K., primary, Papike, J. J., additional, and Rietmeijer, F. J. M., additional
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- 1998
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48. Trace Element Distribution Between Olivine and Kirschsteinite in Angra Dos Reis
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Fittipaldo, M. M, Jones, R. H, and Shearer, C. K
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Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The angrites are a small and enigmatic group of basaltic achondrites that possess unique mineralogical and chemical properties. The dominant mineralogy of the seven angrite members (Angra dos Reis, LEW 86010, LEW 87051, Asuka 881371, Sahara 99555, D Orbigny, and a new Moroccan member) is fassaite, olivine, and plagioclase. Angrites display a wide range of thermal histories, with Angra dos Reis (AdoR) exhibiting a cooling history different from that of the rapidly cooled members and from LEW86010, a more slowly cooled member. AdoR could represent either a cumulate or a porphyritic igneous rock that was later altered by metamorphism. We are re-examining the thermal history of AdoR in light of the more recently described angrite members. Our emphasis is a trace element study of low-Ca olivine, which we refer to as olivine, and high-Ca olivine, which we refer to as kirschsteinite, in AdoR.
- Published
- 2003
49. Osmium Isotope and Highly Siderophile Element Compositions of Lunar Orange and Green Glasses
- Author
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Walker, R. J, Horan, M. F, Shearer, C. K, and Papike, J. J
- Subjects
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
The absolute and relative abundances of the highly siderophile elements (HSE) present in planetary mantles are primarily controlled by: 1) silicate-metal partitioning during core-mantle differentiation, 2) the subsequent addition of HSE to mantles via continued planetary accretion. Consequently, constraints on the absolute and relative abundances of the HSE in the lunar mantle will provide unique insights to the formation and late accretionary history of not only the Moon, but also Earth. Determining the HSE content of the lunar mantle, however, has proven difficult, because no bona fide mantle rocks have been collected from the moon. The only materials presently available for constraining mantle abundances are lunar volcanic rocks. Lunar basalts typically have very low concentrations of HSE and highly fractionated HSE patterns. Because of our extremely limited understanding of mantle melt partitioning of the HSE, even for terrestrial systems, extrapolations to mantle compositions from basaltic compositions are difficult, except possibly for the less compatible HSE Pt and Pd. Primitive, presumably less fractionated materials, such as picritic glasses are potentially more diagnostic of the lunar interior. Here we report Os isotopic composition data and Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt and Pd concentration data for green glass (15426,164) and orange glass (74001,1217). As with previous studies utilizing neutron activation analysis, we are examining different size fractions of the spherules to assess the role of surface condensation in the generation of the HSE abundances.
- Published
- 2003
50. Trace Elements in High-Ca Pyroxene and Plagioclase in the Bilanga Diogenite: Implications for the Magmatic Evolution of Diogenites
- Author
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Domanik, K. J, Shearer, C. K, Hagerty, J, Kolar, S. E, and Drake, M. J
- Subjects
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration - Abstract
High-Ca pyroxene and plagioclase are typically present as minor phases in diogenites. However, although the trace element content of diogenite orthopyroxene has been measured in a number of studies; almost no trace element data is available for the high-Ca pyroxene and plagioclase with which it routinely coexists in these meteorites. These data could provide insights into the nature and evolution of the melts from which diogenites crystallized in the HED parent body. In this study we have obtained initial measurements of several REEs in high-Ca pyroxene, plagioclase, and orthopyroxene in the Bilanga. Measurement of additional incompatible trace element concentrations in these phases is currently in progress.
- Published
- 2003
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