1Fanli Lin, 1Jiansheng Wang, 1Huaiyuan Wang, 1Kaijie Dai, 1,2Kun Ding, 1,2Zhiping He, 1Qingli Li
Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 131, e2026JE009952
Link to Article [DOI: 10.1029/2026JE009952]
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multidimensional Information Processing, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
2Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons
The Chang’e-5 lunar regolith samples are returned samples of young mare basalt, possessing significant scientific research value. This paper performs nondestructive analysis on one of the Chang’e-5 basalt samples using scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Through the analysis of the mineralogical characteristics, modal abundance, and impact effects of the sample, it is found that the sample is relatively consistent in composition with most Chang’e-5 lunar regolith samples, being low-titanium mare basalt that has undergone a certain degree of impact events. The analysis of quartz and plagioclase indicates that the impact pressure experienced by the young mare basalt is limited to a maximum of 20–25 GPa, with a minimum impact pressure of at least 5.2 GPa. Additionally, both this sample and the Chang’e-5 lunar regolith samples should likely originate from a low-titanium magma source, which may possibly have formed through the partial melting of a mixed magma composed of early refractory cumulates and late ilmenite-bearing cumulates, followed by fractional crystallization in a shallow magma reservoir before being erupted onto the lunar surface, and is compositionally distinct from Apollo and CE-6 basalts as an evolved, low-Ti late-stage basalts. This research can provide mineralogical evidence for understanding the thermal evolution of the Moon, particularly the late-stage volcanic activity and internal thermodynamic changes.
