The Moon: Its structure, origin, and development

Apollo program findings are summarized. The Moon is a differentiated body whose bulk major oxide composition is very similar to that of the terrestrial mantle, indicating a close genetic tie between the Earth and the Moon. The initial lunar differentiation produced a massive feldspathic crust which then underwent considerable tectonic, impact, chemical, and petrological modification, an olivine-rich mantle, and possibly a small Fe-FeS core. While the Moon is a simpler body than the Earth, the Moon has a very complex history and is petrologically and structurally complicated.