Analysis of mineral compositions and crater morphology on the Moon surface using Moon orbital satellite data

作者：Sivakumar V^*; Neelakantan R; Biju C

来源：Journal of the Geological Society of India, 2016, 87(4): 476-482.

DOI：10.1007/s12594-016-0416-7

• Chandrayaan-1
• Moon Mineral Mapper
• Hyperspectral
• Mineral composition
• Moon
• Crater morphology

Analysing vertical and lateral distribution of minerals within an impact crater on lunar surface would aid in understanding the crustal compositions to a larger extent and provides clue about geological evolution of the Moon. The Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M-3) and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) data have high spectral and spatial resolutions, which help in identifying the mineral compositions and morphological features of impact crater. Here we analyse mineral compositions and their correlations with crater morphology using M3 and LROC satellite data of Eijkman impact cater in SouthPole Atiken (SPA) basin. The result shows that low-Ca pyroxene (LCP) dominant rocks are identified on Central Peak (CP), Crater Floor (CF), Crater Wall (CW) and Crater Rim (CR). An olivine dominant rock is detected on the CW. Fe-Mg-spinel lithological unit is observed on the CF. The results implicate that, (i) Low-Ca pyroxene minerals could be from the lower crust during SPA main event; (ii) Presence of olivine and Fe-Mg-spinel lithology on the surface could be a later stage mafic intrusions or the lower-crustal material exposed on the surface due to major impacts.

• 出版日期2016-4