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Additional complexity in the lunar crust: Petrology of sodic anorthosites and sulfur‐rich, ferroan noritic anorthosites
Author(s) -
Norman Marc D.,
Taylor G. Jeffrey,
Keil Klaus
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/91gl02617
Subject(s) - geochemistry , geology , mafic , anorthosite , petrology , plagioclase , quartz , paleontology
Lunar breccia 67016 contains two suites of unusual highlands rocks: sulfur‐rich, noritic anorthosites, and sodic anorthosites. Mineral compositions of the sulfur‐rich noritic anorthosites closely match those of ferroan anorthosites. Unusually large amounts of sulfides, and sulfidation reactions involving olivine in these clasts probably reflect endogenous volatile transfer. The sodic anorthosites are mafic‐poor, with mineral compositions intermediate between those of pristine ferroan and alkali anorthosites. Rare examples of pristine rocks with similar mineral compositions are known, and may represent a distinct class of lunar crustal rocks.