Article
Environmental Sciences
Lang Qin, Xing Wu, Liying Huang, Yang Liu, Yongliao Zou
Summary: This study conducted spectroscopic investigation and petrographic study on lunar Mg-suite meteorite Northwest Africa 8687, successfully classifying the sample as a pink spinel-bearing anorthositic norite and providing important ground-truth information for future exploration. The results suggest that the VNIR technique has the potential to identify highland rock types by mineral modal abundance and can be applied in the primary examination of extraterrestrial samples.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jennifer S. Marsh, Michael J. Pasecznyk, Alan E. Boudreau
Summary: Drilling results from the Stillwater Complex's J-M Reef platinum-group element deposit show the formation of chromitite seams may be related to chlorite-rich aqueous reactions and infiltration metasomatic models, reflecting the characteristics and evolution of reactions between norite and orthopyroxene in anorthosite.
JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Chang -Ming Xing, Yonghua Cao
Summary: The Baima layered intrusion in the Panxi region of southwest China contains thick Fe-Ti oxide ore layers, including net-textured ores, banded ores, and disseminated ores. This study examines the textures and compositions of minerals in the interlayered troctolite and net-textured ores to understand the formation of such layering. Results suggest that the layered structure may have formed through the slumping of immiscible Fe-rich melts with a troctolitic mush along the inclined floor of the magma chamber. This research provides new evidence for the late-stage crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides in a crystal mush and has implications for the origin of Fe-Ti oxide ores in other layered intrusions.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bidong Zhang, Yangting Lin, Desmond E. Moser, Paul H. Warren, Jialong Hao, Ivan R. Barker, Sean R. Shieh, Audrey Bouvier
Summary: The study examines the geochronology of lunar Mg-suite magmatic rocks, suggesting they originated from mafic intrusions into the anorthositic flotation crust of the lunar magma ocean. Analysis of zircon and baddeleyite indicates a crystallization age of approximately 4.33 billion years for the Mg-suite rocks, which is slightly younger than related ferroan anorthosites.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jacob B. B. Setera, Jill A. A. VanTongeren, Brent D. D. Turrin, Carl C. C. Swisher III
Summary: By studying the 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of plagioclase in the Rustenburg Layered Suite of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa, we gained insights into the mid-low-temperature thermal evolution of the region. The variations in 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages and closure temperatures of plagioclase suggest a sudden decrease in cooling rate near the closure temperature of biotite, indicating the cessation of hydrothermal circulation within a million years of zircon crystallization. These findings have important implications for understanding the duration of hydrothermal systems and the formation of economically viable ore deposits.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geology
A. B. Laudadio, E. M. Schetselaar, J. E. Mungall, M. G. Houle
Summary: The 3D geological model of the Esker ultramafic-mafic intrusive complex in northwestern Ontario, Canada provides insights into the magmatic plumbing system and the formation of valuable Ni-Cu-(PGE) and chromitite deposits. It reveals a complex structure with shear zones and keel-shaped ultramafic promontories and suggests that the intrusion may have been guided by pre-existing normal faults. The model also shows that the distribution of chromitite ore is discontinuous and supports the idea of mechanical segregation.
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Marina A. Yudovskaya, Judith A. Kinnaird, Gelu Costin, Matthew McCreesh, Vladimir Shilovskikh, Elena Kovalchuk, Dmitry Kuzmin
Summary: Spinelf-orthopyroxene symplectites are common features in the Rustenburg Layered Suite and are associated with high-grade platinum group element sulfide mineralization. The composition of spinel varies with stratigraphic height and host rock, indicating a relationship with reactive melt infiltration.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Amy P. Parker, Patricia L. Clay, Alan E. Boudreau, Ray Burgess, Brian O'Driscoll
Summary: The activity of volatile-rich fluids may play a crucial role in the evolution of basaltic magmatic systems and the formation of associated precious metal ore deposits. Evidence suggests the presence of chloride-rich fluids in the economically important Stillwater Complex, which are connected to platinum and palladium mineralization. The study provides data on heavy halogens (chlorine, bromine, and iodine) and natural noble gas isotopes in different rock samples, indicating a shared process and/or distribution in mineral species. The findings suggest that halogens may have been fractionated during the exsolution of a volatile-rich fluid and that the presence of specific minerals in halogen-enriched samples implies derivation from the cooling of the intrusion. The study also suggests the limited role of crustal contamination in the formation of certain rock formations and deposits. The high-halogen contents in the sulfide-bearing J-M Reef and associated lithologies support the influence of fluid-related activity in platinum-group element-reef formation, highlighting the importance of sulfide liquid interaction with halogen-rich fluids in the formation of precious metal ore deposits.
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2022)
Article
Mineralogy
Emma J. Hunt, Brian O'driscoll, James M. D. Day
Summary: This paper evaluates the late-magmatic textural maturation processes of chromitite seams in layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions of different ages and sizes. The study suggests that textural maturation initially occurred in the supra-solidus state followed by an important stage of solid-state textural maturation, playing a major role in the microstructural and compositional homogeneity of the chromitite seams.
CANADIAN MINERALOGIST
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Rui Li, Wei Du, Jing Yang
Summary: This review examines the mineralogy, petrogenesis, and distribution of lunar volcanic glasses and Mg-suite, and proposes an updated chemical composition of the lunar interior.
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Francis M. McCubbin, Kathleen E. Vander Kaaden, Romain Tartese, Rachel L. Klima, Yang Liu, James Mortimer, Jessica J. Barnes, Charles K. Shearer, Allan H. Treiman, David J. Lawrence, Stephen M. Elardo, Dana M. Hurley, Jeremy W. Boyce, Mahesh Anand
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2015)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Stephen M. Elardo, Charles K. Shearer, Kathleen E. Vander Kaaden, Francis M. McCubbin, Aaron S. Bell
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2015)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Francis M. McCubbin, Jeremy W. Boyce, Poorna Srinivasan, Alison R. Santos, Stephen M. Elardo, Justin Filiberto, Andrew Steele, Charles K. Shearer
METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
(2016)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Francis M. McCubbin, Jeremy W. Boyce, Timea Novak-Szabo, Alison R. Santos, Romain Tartese, Nele Muttik, Gabor Domokos, Jorge Vazquez, Lindsay P. Keller, Desmond E. Moser, Douglas J. Jerolmack, Charles K. Shearer, Andrew Steele, Stephen M. Elardo, Zia Rahman, Mahesh Anand, Thomas Delhaye, Carl B. Agee
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2016)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Stephen M. Elardo, Anat Shahar
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Anat Shahar, Stephen M. Elardo, Catherine A. Macris
NON-TRADITIONAL STABLE ISOTOPES
(2017)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Francis M. McCubbin, Kathleen E. Vander Kaaden, Patrick N. Peplowski, Aaron S. Bell, Larry R. Nittler, Jeremy W. Boyce, Larry G. Evans, Lindsay P. Keller, Stephen M. Elardo, Timothy J. McCoy
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2017)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Charles K. Shearer, Stephen M. Elardo, Noah E. Petro, Lars E. Borg, Francis M. McCubbin
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2015)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Stephen M. Elardo, Charles K. Shearer, Amy L. Fagan, Lars E. Borg, Amy M. Gaffney, Paul V. Burger, Clive R. Neal, Vera A. Fernandes, Francis M. McCubbin
METEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE
(2014)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Stephen M. Elardo, Anat Shahar, Timothy D. Mock, Corliss K. Sio
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Stephen M. Elardo, Matthieu Laneuville, Francis M. McCubbin, Charles K. Shearer
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Francis M. McCubbin, Jonathan A. Lewis, Jessica J. Barnes, Stephen M. Elardo, Jeremy W. Boyce
Summary: Through petrologic study and data analysis of apatite in eucrites, this research quantified the abundances of F, Cl, and H2O in the bulk silicate portion of asteroid 4 Vesta. The study revealed a depletion of F and H2O in BSV compared to CI chondrites, while Cl depletion in 4 Vesta was found to be greater than in samples from Earth or the Moon. Eucrites are likely formed through serial magmatism from a mantle with heterogeneous delta Cl-37 and Cl/F, and the volatile depletion and Cl-isotopic heterogeneity recorded in eucrites may be inherited from precursor materials that accreted to form 4 Vesta.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Biology
Anna-Lisa Paul, Stephen M. Elardo, Robert Ferl
Summary: This study investigates the growth of Arabidopsis plants in lunar soil and finds that lunar regoliths can affect plant growth and trigger stress responses. Therefore, the ability of plants to adapt to extraterrestrial environments and utilize local resources is crucial for enhancing human life support on other worlds.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Yun Jiang, Jinting Kang, Shiyong Liao, Stephen M. Elardo, Keqing Zong, Sijie Wang, Chang Nie, Peiyi Li, Zongjun Yin, Fang Huang, Weibiao Hsu
Summary: The CE-5 samples from the Chang'E 5 mission are the youngest lunar basalts discovered so far and offer insights into the late lunar evolution. A study combining Fe and Mg isotope analyses with petrology and mineralogy of two CE-5 basalt clasts reveals a hybrid mantle source that incorporates early- and late-stage lunar magma ocean cumulates. This finding challenges previous theories and highlights the role of late lunar magma ocean cumulates in the generation of young lunar volcanism.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
David S. S. Draper, Samuel J. J. Lawrence, Rachel S. S. Klima, Brett W. W. Denevi, Carolyn H. H. van der Bogert, Stephen M. M. Elardo, Harald H. H. Hiesinger
Summary: The ISOCHRON concept aims to return samples of the youngest extensive mare basalt on the moon for age-dating and geochemical analysis. These samples will revolutionize our ability to assess exposure ages on planetary surfaces, evaluate recent lunar magmatism, and provide crucial ground truth for regolith evolution models.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xinze Lu, Geoffrey J. Gilleaudeau, Brian Kendall
Summary: The Late Ordovician mass extinction is the first major extinction event in the Phanerozoic, but the reasons for the decline in global biodiversity before the extinction are not well understood.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2024)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Junyao Kang, Daniel D. Gregory, Benjamin Gill, Shiqiang Huang, Changxin Lai, Zhaoshan Chang, Huan Cui, Ivan Belousov, Shuhai Xiao
Summary: Sedimentary pyrite is an important geological archive, but it can be altered by diagenetic and hydrothermal processes. This study successfully trained machine learning algorithms to distinguish pyrite origins using trace element data. The approach was validated and applied to identify the origins of pyrite in two sedimentary successions in South China.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2024)