Discovery of Ancient Volcanic Activity: Microwave Data Uncovers Granite Formation on the Moon

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery on the Moon, uncovering a large granite formation beneath its surface. This finding suggests ancient volcanic activity and challenges existing theories about the formation of the lunar crust. The presence of granite, a rock type typically associated with water and plate tectonics, also raises questions about past conditions on the Moon.

The team of scientists, led by Matthew Siegler, a research professor at SMU and a research scientist with the Planetary Science Institute, used microwave frequency data to measure heat below the surface of a suspected volcanic feature on the Moon known as Compton-Belkovich. By analyzing the data, the team determined that the heat is being generated from a concentration of radioactive elements that can only exist on the Moon as granite.

Granites are remnants of the plumbing systems below extinct volcanoes. When lava cools without erupting, it forms a granite formation known as a batholith. On Earth, large bodies of granite are typically associated with volcanic activity. For example, the Sierra Nevada mountains in the western United States are a batholith left from a volcanic chain that existed long ago.

The lunar batholith discovered by the scientists is located in a region of the Moon previously identified as a volcanic complex. However, researchers were surprised by its size, estimating its diameter to be around 50 kilometers.

Granite formation is generally driven by water and plate tectonics on Earth, which create large melt bodies below the surface. However, granites are extremely rare on the Moon, which lacks these processes. The discovery of this granite body helps explain how the early lunar crust formed.

Siegler speculates that the presence of granite on the Moon raises questions about the past conditions on the lunar surface. “If you don’t have water, it takes extreme situations to make granite,” he said. “So, here’s this system with no water and no plate tectonics, but you have granite. Was there water on the moon – at least in this one spot? Or was it just especially hot?”

The research team’s findings were published in the journal Nature. The study was funded through NASA’s Lunar Data Analysis Program and work related to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Lunar Radiometer. The data used in the study was obtained from two Chinese lunar orbiters, Chang’E-1 and Chang’E-2, which carried four-channel microwave radiometer instruments.

This groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on the geological history of the Moon and opens up new avenues for further research. Siegler will be presenting the team’s research at the upcoming Goldschmidt Conference in Lyon, France.

How does the discovery of granite on the Moon challenge existing theories about the formation of the lunar crust?

Ite is a type of rock that is commonly found on Earth and is formed through the process of volcanic activity and plate tectonics. The discovery of granite on the Moon suggests that similar geological processes may have occurred on our nearest celestial neighbor.

This finding challenges the existing theories about the formation of the lunar crust, which previously suggested that it was primarily made up of basalt, a type of volcanic rock. The presence of granite on the Moon raises questions about the past conditions on the lunar surface and whether there may have been water and plate tectonics at some point in its history.

The team of scientists, led by Matthew Siegler, utilized microwave frequency data to measure the heat below the surface of a suspected volcanic feature on the Moon known as Compton-Belkovich. Through their analysis, they were able to identify that the heat is being generated from a concentration of radioactive elements that are only found on the Moon as granite.

This groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on the geological history of the Moon and provides valuable insights into the processes that may have shaped its surface. By understanding the formation of granite on the Moon, scientists can further enhance their knowledge about the origins and evolution of celestial bodies in our solar system.

The findings also have implications for future missions and the potential for human exploration on the Moon. If granite is present on the lunar surface, it may mean that there are additional resources, such as water, that can support future explorations and even establish a sustainable human presence. Further studies and investigations will be necessary to fully comprehend the implications and significance of this discovery.

In conclusion, the discovery of a large granite formation on the Moon suggests ancient volcanic activity and challenges existing theories about the formation of the lunar crust. The presence of granite also raises questions about past conditions on the Moon. This groundbreaking finding provides valuable insights into the geological history of the Moon and has implications for future missions and human exploration. Further research and exploration will undoubtedly reveal more secrets about our fascinating celestial neighbor.