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.

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