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High resolution argon analysis of neutron-irradiated Apollo 16 rocks and separated mineral

Jessberger, E. K. and Huneke, J. C. and Podosek, F. A. and Wasserburg, G. J. (1974) High resolution argon analysis of neutron-irradiated Apollo 16 rocks and separated mineral. In: Proceedings of the Fifth Lunar Science Conference. Vol.2. Pergamon Press , New York, NY, pp. 1419-1449. ISBN 9780080183183. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20221123-214402416

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Abstract

Ar analyses are reported for detailed thermal release studies on neutron-irradiated samples of mineral separates and a whole sample of breccia 65015 and rock fragments 67483,15-2 and 60503,3-3. The ³⁷Ar release patterns show a single release peak at ~800°C for 65015 plagioclase and a distinctive release peak at ~1200°C for 65015 pyroxene. 60% of the ³⁷Ar is released from the pyroxene above 1000°C, whereas only 15% of the 39 Ar is released above this temperature. From a graph of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages versus ³⁷Ar, the anomalously low ages of high-temperature releases, which are a common feature in ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra of lunar samples, can be associated with the unique high-temperature release of ³⁷Ar from the pyroxene. The age spectrum of 65015 plagioclase plotted versus ³⁷Ar shows a plateau at 3.98 AE and then rises with a sharp ascent to a maximum of 4.47 AE for the last stages of gas release that correlates with the proportion of ancient relict plagioclase as determined by Rb-Sr analyses. This confirms the existence of ancient lithic fragments within this metaclastic rock and indicates that the protolith of 65015 contained plagioclase fragments older than 4.47 AE and the 65015 breccia was severely metamorphosed in an event at 3.98 AE. The time interval between this metamorphic event and the event dated by Luna 20 samples (neutron-irradiated with 65015) is 80 m.y. These events occurred at distinctly separate times and presumably represent the times of formation of the Nectaris and Crisium basins, respectively. The terminal lunar cataclysm involved at least two separate major impact events.


Item Type:Book Section
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1974LPSC....5.1419JADSArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Wasserburg, G. J.0000-0002-7957-8029
Additional Information:It is our pleasure to thank Drs. A. Albee, A. Gancarz, P. Horn for stimulating discussions and T. Gay for Ni flux wire counting. One of us (EKJ) has been supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie (BRD) and the National Research Council (USA). This research was supported by NASA grant NGL-05-002-188 and NSF grant GP-28027.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie (BMFT)UNSPECIFIED
National Research CouncilUNSPECIFIED
NASANGL-05-002-188
NSFGP-28027
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Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences2483
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20221123-214402416
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20221123-214402416
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:118011
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:28 Nov 2022 20:07
Last Modified:28 Nov 2022 20:07

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