Crystal storage and transfer in lunar magmatic systems (Summary to follow)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
This project will investigate magmatic processes recorded by lunar lavas sampled by the Apollo astronauts. The Moon records volcanism on a small rocky terrestrial planet. Lunar lavas were erupted between ~4.35 and 3 billion years ago, with some areas maybe being volcanically active as recently as 1 billion years ago. Mare basalts provide us with critical insights to the thermal history of the Moon and the chemical diversity of the lunar mantle. These lavas were sourced from partial melting of different regions of the lunar mantle, giving rise to a range of chemical affiliations, petrological and crystallisation histories.
We seek to investigate the magmatic history of the crystals carried by these lunar lavas, using petrographic and mineral chemistry techniques to investigate crystal mush formation, disaggregation and crystal entrainment in magmas as they are transported from depth to the lunar surface. We aim to calculate crystal residence timescales in magmatic mush horizons and the carrier liquids that transported these crystals to the surface, and to calculate ascent rates for different lunar magmas. Do lunar magmas stall and crystallise in crustal magmachambers, or propagate rapidly to the lunar surface? Do they assimilate crustal material?
What can the magmatic histories of lunar crystals tell us about magma ascent? What can this tell us about magmatic plumbing systems and volcanic eruption styles in different regions of the Moon?
The project will involve usingmicroscope and electron microprobe, to examine the textures and mineral compositions of lunar samples. Crystal size distributions, and
phases, will be used to identify signatures of crystal mush entrainment in lunar magmas. Diffusion modelling in zoned crystals will be used to calculate crystal residence timescales and magma ascent rates.
We seek to investigate the magmatic history of the crystals carried by these lunar lavas, using petrographic and mineral chemistry techniques to investigate crystal mush formation, disaggregation and crystal entrainment in magmas as they are transported from depth to the lunar surface. We aim to calculate crystal residence timescales in magmatic mush horizons and the carrier liquids that transported these crystals to the surface, and to calculate ascent rates for different lunar magmas. Do lunar magmas stall and crystallise in crustal magmachambers, or propagate rapidly to the lunar surface? Do they assimilate crustal material?
What can the magmatic histories of lunar crystals tell us about magma ascent? What can this tell us about magmatic plumbing systems and volcanic eruption styles in different regions of the Moon?
The project will involve usingmicroscope and electron microprobe, to examine the textures and mineral compositions of lunar samples. Crystal size distributions, and
phases, will be used to identify signatures of crystal mush entrainment in lunar magmas. Diffusion modelling in zoned crystals will be used to calculate crystal residence timescales and magma ascent rates.
Organisations
Publications
Bell S
(2023)
Determining the thermal histories of Apollo 15 mare basalts using diffusion modelling in olivine
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Bell S
(2023)
Investigating the crystallization history of Apollo 15 mare basalts using quantitative textural analysis
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Martin Djp
(2018)
Investigating the Orientation of Minerals Using FTIR Microspectroscopy
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ST/N504166/1 | 30/09/2015 | 30/03/2021 | |||
1799244 | Studentship | ST/N504166/1 | 30/09/2016 | 31/01/2021 | Samantha Bell |
Description | VMSG student travel bursary |
Amount | £500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2019 |
End | 03/2019 |
Title | Data for: QEMSCAN as a method of semi-automated crystal size distribution analysis: Insights from Apollo 15 mare basalts |
Description | Data collected for the manuscript 'QEMSCAN as a method of semi-automated crystal size distribution analysis: Insights from Apollo 15 mare basalts'. Manuscript was submitted to Journal of Petrology and is currently in review. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | In this study we investigate the feasibility of using Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by SCANing electron microscopy (QEMSCAN) for semi-automated crystal size distribution analysis. |
URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/rh37cdm9hv.1 |
Description | Blue dot festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Assisted at a stall at the Blue Dot festival over the full weekend. Answered questions and chatted with the public about the meteorite samples we had on display and the work we do within our research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2019 |
Description | College Open Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Helped at a meteorite session as part of a sixth form visit to the university. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Discover Space UK Space Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage public about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Girl's night out Jodrell Bank |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage public about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | High School Visit Bury |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Attended a school and assisted in presenting to two classes about space. also took along some meteorites for them to look at and ask questions about. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Pi: Meteorite Hunt Museum of Science and Industry Manchester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage public about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Science @ Central Manchester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage public about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Science Uncovered European Researchers Night |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage public about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019 |
Description | Science X |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage public about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Soyuz Space Day Bradford |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Meteorite display used to engage school children about space about what research goes on within the research group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |