Moon Rock Mystery Solved: Scientists Uncover Formation Process

High-Ti Basalts Formed from Unique Magma Type, Revealing Crucial Insights into Lunar Geological History

Scientists from the Universities of Bristol and Munster have discovered the origins of moon rock, suggesting its formation around 3.5 billion years ago from a unique magma type found exclusively on the moon.
The research centered around a unique rock type on the moon known as ‘high-Ti basalts,’ named for their high titanium content. The presence of these high-Ti basalts on the moon’s surface has been perplexing for geologists.
The team conducted high-temperature laboratory experiments simulating the molten rock conditions and detailed isotopic analyses of lunar samples. These experiments and analyses played a crucial role in identifying the key process that led to the formation of the high-Ti basalts.
The scientists discovered that the formation of the moon rock was a result of a critical reaction deep within the lunar interior. This reaction involved iron in the magma exchanging with magnesium in the surrounding rocks, altering the magma’s composition.
The team’s experiments successfully replicated the distinctive isotopic composition of the high-Ti basalts, providing a fingerprint of the reactions reproduced by the experiments. This study has unveiled a crucial step in the genesis of moon rock, offering substantial insights into the moon’s geological history.