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Lunar primitive mantle olivine returned by Chang’e-6

Author

Listed:
  • Si-Zhang Sheng

    (China University of Geosciences (Beijing))

  • Shui-Jiong Wang

    (China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
    China University of Geosciences (Beijing))

  • Qiu-Li Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shitou Wu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hao Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jun-Xiang Hua

    (China University of Geosciences (Beijing))

  • Zhenyu Chen

    (Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences)

  • Jin-Hua Hao

    (China University of Geosciences (Beijing))

  • Bo Zhang

    (Peking University)

  • Yongsheng He

    (China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
    China University of Geosciences (Beijing))

  • Jian-Ming Zhu

    (China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
    China University of Geosciences (Beijing))

Abstract

The lunar mantle is important for unraveling the Moon’s formation and early differentiation processes. Here, we identify primitive lunar olivines in soils returned by the Chang’e-6 mission. These olivines have oxygen isotopic compositions plotting along the terrestrial fractionation line, and are characterized by high forsterite contents up to 95.6, and a broad range of nickel abundances from zero to 682 ppm. While the low-nickel (zero to 251 ppm), forsteritic olivines align with a Mg-suite origin, the most primitive, high-nickel olivines (337 to 682 ppm) have a different origin. They could be either the first olivine crystallized from the Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO) with an Earth-like initial composition, or crystallized from a hitherto unrecognized ultra-magnesian lava produced by extensive melting of the early LMO cumulate. The exposure of these mantle olivines was facilitated by their entrainment in ascending high-Mg lavas and conveyed to the surface at the South Pole-Aitken Basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Si-Zhang Sheng & Shui-Jiong Wang & Qiu-Li Li & Shitou Wu & Hao Wang & Jun-Xiang Hua & Zhenyu Chen & Jin-Hua Hao & Bo Zhang & Yongsheng He & Jian-Ming Zhu, 2025. "Lunar primitive mantle olivine returned by Chang’e-6," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58820-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58820-4
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