GRAIL gravity constraints on the vertical and lateral density structure of the lunar crust
International audience We analyzed data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission using a localized admittance approach to map out spatial variations in the vertical density structure of the lunar crust. Mare regions are characterized by a distinct decrease in density with de...
Published in: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
HAL CCSD
2014
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02458599 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02458599/document https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02458599/file/Besserer%20et%20al.%202014.pdf https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL060240 |
Summary: | International audience We analyzed data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission using a localized admittance approach to map out spatial variations in the vertical density structure of the lunar crust. Mare regions are characterized by a distinct decrease in density with depth, while the farside is characterized by an increase in density with depth at an average gradient of ∼35 kg m −3 km −1 and typical surface porosities of at least 20%. The Apollo 12 and 14 landing site region has a similar density structure to the farside, permitting a comparison with seismic velocity profiles. The interior of the South Pole-Aitken (SP-A) impact basin appears distinct with a near-surface low-density (porous) layer 2-3 times thinner than the rest of the farside. This result suggests that redistribution of material during the large SPA impact likely played a major role in sculpting the lunar crust. |
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