China's Moon Sample Unveils Unexpected Volcanic Activity

1 min read
Source: Space.com
China's Moon Sample Unveils Unexpected Volcanic Activity
Photo: Space.com
TL;DR Summary

China's Chang'e 6 mission has returned the first samples from the moon's far side, revealing volcanic activity 2.8 billion years ago. The analysis of these basalt samples shows a lack of potassium, rare Earth elements, and phosphorus, possibly due to the South Pole-Aitken basin impact. This elemental imbalance may explain why the far side has fewer mare basalts compared to the near side, as the absence of radioactive elements like potassium and uranium could have reduced heat production and volcanic activity.

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