Publication Date:
2019-07-12
Description:
Whole-rock and mineral analyses of 26 'new' type A and B Apollo 17 basalts are reported. The petrography and mineral chemistry of these basalts are similar to previously reported Apollo 17 basalts. However, these 'new' whole-rock data extend the compositional ranges of previously reported type A and B basalts and require the division of the type B basalts into type B1 and B2 varieties. These three types display similar trends when both major and trace elements are plotted against a fractionation index of Cr/La ratio. Major element compositions of basalts from all three types fall on olivine + Ti oxide control lines. This study demonstrates that Apollo 17 type A, B1, and B2 basalts have a relatively simple petrogenesis, with the only postmagma-generation process being fractional crystallization.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (ISSN 0016-7037); 54; 1817-183
Format:
text
