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Mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry of the lunar samples
Author(s) -
Warner Jeffrey
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg013i003p00107
Subject(s) - geology of the moon , regolith , geology , astrobiology , crust , lunar mare , planet , geochemistry , earth science , basalt , astronomy , physics
The years 1971–1974 mark the maturing of lunar mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry into a full‐fledged science. During these years the prime objective of lunar sample investigation teams changed from general surveys of the nature of returned lunar material into problem‐oriented studies. Four general areas of interest that evolved during these years are (1) the geochemistry of the bulk moon, (2) the lunar regolith, (3) the lunar mare basins, and (4) the lunar highlands and crust. About 1000 scientists have been engaged in attempting to determine the origin and evolution of the moon. Although little new light has been shed on the ultimate problem of the origin of the moon, the following paragraphs show that the years 1971–1974 have greatly added to our understanding of the moon as an evolving planet.