Colloquium Series: "The early history of the Moon constrained from Nd and Sr isotopes"

Date: 

Monday, November 24, 2014, 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Location: 

Haller Hall (GM 102)

Speaker: Dr. Alan Brandon (University of Houston)

Abstract:

The most widely accepted model for making the Moon is from accretion of debris left over from a giant +-impact between proto-Earth and a Mars sized object early in Solar System history.  Open questions remain regarding when this event occurred and what factors controlled the early evolution of the Moon.   My research group has been examining these issues using high-precision Nd isotope measurements and Rb-Sr isotope measurements of lunar mare basalts and anorthositic crustal rocks from the Moon.  These new data have helped us narrow down the time of Moon formation and the subsequent timing and mechanisms of reworking of lunar crust that followed.  These results, and a model for early lunar evolution will be presented.

mcleodetal.2014epsl.pdf985 KB