Surface morphological and textural studies of Apollo-17 mare basalt by scanning electron microscope
Abstract
Scanning electron microscopic observation of rock fragments, minerals and glass from the 70017-291 mare basalt indicates the presence of glassy spheres of silicate caused by impact melting. Silicate glass fragments were noticed as impact ejecta adhering to the surface of glassy sphere. Metallic grains are enclosed by silicate glassy materials and exhibit fluidal structure. This indicates that mare basalts were subjected to repeated meteoritic impact. It is suggested that the lunar crystalline rock sample that was investigated was probably collected from the soil near the landing site of Apollo-17. Some microfractures and undulatory extinction have been observed within pyroxene grains under microscope and plastic deformation noticed in plagioclase. So, there are some signs of impact metamorphism in the mare basalt.
- Publication:
-
Geochemistry
- Pub Date:
- September 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980Geoch......243L
- Keywords:
-
- Apollo 17 Flight;
- Basalt;
- Electron Microscopy;
- Lunar Maria;
- Lunar Rocks;
- Microstructure;
- Lunar Landing Sites;
- Microcracks;
- Minerals;
- Silicates;
- Surface Properties;
- Textures