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Highly siderophile element constraints on the accretion and differentiation of the Earth-Moon system

Day, J.M.D.; Pearson, D.G.; Taylor, L.A.

Authors

J.M.D. Day

D.G. Pearson

L.A. Taylor



Abstract

A new combined rhenium-osmium– and platinum-group element data set for basalts from the Moon establishes that the basalts have uniformly low abundances of highly siderophile elements. The data set indicates a lunar mantle with long-term, chondritic, highly siderophile element ratios, but with absolute abundances that are over 20 times lower than those in Earth's mantle. The results are consistent with silicate-metal equilibrium during a giant impact and core formation in both bodies, followed by post–core-formation late accretion that replenished their mantles with highly siderophile elements. The lunar mantle experienced late accretion that was similar in composition to that of Earth but volumetrically less than (0.02% lunar mass) and terminated earlier than for Earth.

Citation

Day, J., Pearson, D., & Taylor, L. (2007). Highly siderophile element constraints on the accretion and differentiation of the Earth-Moon system. Science, 315(5809), 217-219. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1133355

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date 2007-01
Deposit Date Mar 15, 2007
Journal Science
Print ISSN 0036-8075
Electronic ISSN 1095-9203
Publisher American Association for the Advancement of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 315
Issue 5809
Pages 217-219
DOI https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1133355