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AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets

 

Keywords

  • Balmer-Kapteyn
  • cryptomaria
  • light plains

Index Terms

  • Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Moon
  • Volcanology: Planetary volcanism
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Impact phenomena, cratering
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Volcanism
  • Geochemistry: Planetary geochemistry
Abstract
Cited By (3)
 

Abstract

Remote sensing and geologic studies of the Balmer-Kapteyn region of the Moon

B. Ray Hawke

Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

J. J. Gillis

Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

T. A. Giguere

Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

D. T. Blewett

NovaSol, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

D. J. Lawrence

Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA

P. G. Lucey

Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

G. A. Smith

Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

P. D. Spudis

Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland, USA

G. Jeffrey Taylor

Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

The Balmer-Kapteyn (B-K) region is located just east of Mare Fecunditatis on the east limb of the Moon. It is centered on the Balmer-Kapteyn basin, a pre-Nectarian impact structure that exhibits two rings, approximately 225 km and 450 km in diameter. Clementine multispectral images and Lunar Prospector (LP) gamma-ray spectrometer (GRS) data were used to investigate the composition, age, and origin of geologic units in the region. A major expanse of cryptomare was mapped within the B-K basin. Spectral and chemical data obtained for dark-haloed craters (DHCs) established that these impact craters excavated mare basalt from beneath higher-albedo, highland-rich surface units. The buried basalts exposed by DHCs in the region are dominated by low-titanium mare basalts. The fresh DHC FeO values (15.0–15.7 wt.%) that best represent those of buried mare basalts are well within the range of values exhibited by high-alumina mare basalts. While most cryptomare deposits occur beneath surfaces that range in age from Imbrian to Nectarian, it is possible that some mare flows were emplaced during pre-Nectarian time. Most cryptomare deposits in the B-K region were formed by the contamination of mare surfaces by highland-rich distal ejecta from surrounding impact craters. These Balmer-type cryptomare deposits are usually associated with light plains units. Major LP-GRS FeO enhancements are associated with cryptomaria in the Balmer-Kapteyn, Lomonosov-Fleming, Schiller-Schickard, and Mendel-Rydberg regions.

Received 23 November 2004; accepted 1 March 2005; published 16 June 2005.

Citation: Hawke, B. R., J. J. Gillis, T. A. Giguere, D. T. Blewett, D. J. Lawrence, P. G. Lucey, G. A. Smith, P. D. Spudis, and G. J. Taylor (2005), Remote sensing and geologic studies of the Balmer-Kapteyn region of the Moon, J. Geophys. Res., 110, E06004, doi:10.1029/2004JE002383.

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