Authors

W. S. Kiefer; R. J. Macke; D. T. Britt; A. J. Irving;G. J. Consolmagno

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Geophys. Res. Lett.

Keywords

METEORITES; MOON; GEOCHEMISTRY; BRECCIA; CRUST; PETROGENESIS; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Abstract

Accurate lunar rock densities are necessary for constructing gravity models of the Moon's crust and lithosphere. Most Apollo-era density measurements have errors of 2-5% or more and few include porosity measurements. We report new density and porosity measurements using the bead method and helium pycnometry for 6 Apollo samples and 7 lunar meteorites, with typical grain density uncertainties of 10-30 kg m(-3) (0.3-0.9%) and porosity uncertainties of 1-3%. Comparison between igneous grain densities and normative mineral densities show that these uncertainties are realistic and that the helium fully penetrates the pore space. Basalt grain densities are a strong function of composition, varying over at least 3270 kg m(-3) (high aluminum basalt) to 3460 kg m(-3) (high titanium basalt). Feldspathic highland crust has a bulk density of 22002600 kg m(-3) and porosity of 10-20%. Impact basin ejecta has a bulk density of 2350-2600 kg m(-3) and porosity of similar to 20%.

Journal Title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

39

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

5

WOS Identifier

WOS:000302876100001

ISSN

0094-8276

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