Exploring the Moon's Granite: A Revolutionary Discovery
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Chapter 1: Unveiling Lunar Secrets
The Compton-Belkovich Volcanic Complex, as captured in a Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter image, may conceal the largest granite formation identified beyond Earth. Granite, an igneous rock created by the slow crystallization of magma, is primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Its formation necessitates specific geological conditions, including the right mix of elements, heat, and pressure. Unlike Earth, which experiences active tectonics that facilitate granite formation, celestial bodies like the Moon exhibit less dynamic geological processes, making such discoveries exceptionally rare.
The far side of the Moon has become the focal point of recent lunar explorations, revealing that it may harbor numerous undiscovered phenomena. Previous beliefs regarding the Moon being a lifeless body, devoid of water or tectonic activity, are now being reassessed. These groundbreaking revelations have sparked renewed interest in lunar exploration, with various space agencies and private companies planning missions to the Moon in the coming decade.
In addition to uncovering secrets from the lunar far side, significant evidence of water in lunar soil and signs of volcanic activity have emerged. The Chang’e missions, organized by China’s National Space Administration (CNSA), have played a pivotal role in these discoveries. The insights gleaned from these missions are crucial to understanding the granite formation we will explore today.
“This is more Earth-like than we had imagined can be produced on the Moon, which lacks the water and plate tectonics that help granites form on Earth.” ~ Dr. Matt Siegler, Lead Researcher
Section 1.1: The Heat-Emitting Granite Blob
Researchers have identified a 31-mile (50-kilometer) wide area with temperatures around 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) higher than the surrounding terrain. This anomaly lies beneath a 12.4-mile (20-kilometer) diameter region, rich in silicon and believed to be a collapsed volcanic crater. It suggests the presence of a dormant volcano that last erupted approximately 3.5 billion years ago, with a plumbing system potentially still harboring magma that emits radiation below the surface.
On the left, an arrow indicates the location of the granite formation on the far side of the Moon. The center and right images depict the heat gradient from the granite within the Compton-Belkovich area, providing critical data for researchers.
Section 1.2: Evidence of Granite’s Existence
The research team has gathered compelling evidence suggesting a significant granite structure lies hidden beneath the lunar surface. Their study involved analyzing microwave data from China's Chang’e-1 and Chang’e-2 orbiters, which revealed a geothermal hotspot. This temperature anomaly is often associated with granite due to its tendency to retain radioactive elements like uranium and thorium, which decay over time and generate heat.
Through computer simulations, scientists estimated the size of the granite structure beneath the Compton-Belkovich Volcanic Complex, hypothesizing that it could be an ellipsoidal mass approximately 50 kilometers wide and 25 kilometers tall, with a smaller granite ellipsoid on top. This structure may be buried four kilometers beneath the lunar surface.
Chapter 2: Investigating the Geological Mystery
The first video explores the implications of discovering a granite mass on the Moon's far side and what it means for lunar geology.
The second video discusses the fascinating heat-emitting granite blob found on the Moon, providing context for its discovery.
What exactly has China uncovered on the far side of the Moon? The China Lunar Exploration Program (CELP) has revealed intriguing photographs of a gel-like substance that has generated considerable interest.
Researchers propose that the formation of this granite structure might be linked to a mantle plume—an upwelling of molten rock that could have altered some of the region’s basalt into granite through geological processes. This remarkable finding underscores the need for further investigation, warranting a dedicated lunar mission to explore these phenomena in greater detail.
In the years to come, scientists plan to pursue this investigation through NASA’s Lunar Vulkan Imaging and Spectroscopy Explorer mission, known as Lunar-VISE, slated for launch by 2027. The spacecraft will land on the summit of one of the Gruithuisen domes, which are believed to contain granite. With the capabilities of Lunar-VISE, researchers will conduct an in-depth analysis of the region’s chemical composition.
The complete research findings are published in the Journal of Nature.