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Pinpointing the thermal history of lunar basaltic meteorites in a nutshell

Author

Listed:
  • Pierre Vonlanthen

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Farhang Nabiei

    (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
    Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
    Cambourne Business Park)

  • Cyril Cayron

    (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

  • A. Brian Aebersold

    (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
    Sensirion AG)

  • Martin Robyr

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Mary-Alix Kaczmarek

    (University of Toulouse)

  • Othmar Müntener

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Philippe Gillet

    (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Abstract

Native metals of igneous origin are recognized as one of the distinctive features of basalts from the Moon. Our study demonstrates that the tiny Fe-Ni metal blebs nucleated from lunar magma exhibit unanticipated, nutshell-like, crystallographic microstructures, that can be used in conjunction with local variations in chemical compositions to trace the complete thermal history of the host rock. This encompasses rapid cooling on the lunar surface, shock reheating upon impact, and post-shock cooling in the outer space. The Fe-Ni metal blebs indicate that the lava cooled in two stages, first down to 90–160 °C during lunar daytime, and then, to −160 °C during nighttime. Upon shock, the (near-)equilibrium peak temperature of 660–690 °C was reached shortly after release to zero pressure, mainly by thermal conduction from hot vesicular plagioclase. Here, we show that intense shock heating is compatible with the small impact scenario put forward for lunar meteorites and that metals are pioneering full-range geothermometers capable of tracing the complete thermal history of achondritic planetary materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Vonlanthen & Farhang Nabiei & Cyril Cayron & A. Brian Aebersold & Martin Robyr & Mary-Alix Kaczmarek & Othmar Müntener & Philippe Gillet, 2025. "Pinpointing the thermal history of lunar basaltic meteorites in a nutshell," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57652-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57652-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen Yang & Haishi Zhao & Lorenzo Bruzzone & Jon Atli Benediktsson & Yanchun Liang & Bin Liu & Xingguo Zeng & Renchu Guan & Chunlai Li & Ziyuan Ouyang, 2020. "Lunar impact crater identification and age estimation with Chang’E data by deep and transfer learning," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Jijin Yang & Joseph I. Goldstein & Edward R. D. Scott, 2007. "Iron meteorite evidence for early formation and catastrophic disruption of protoplanets," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7138), pages 888-891, April.
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