Microstructural Analysis of Lunar Dunite Clast from Meteorite NWA 11421 and Physical Constraints on Excavation of Upper Lunar Mantle Material.

Microstructural Analysis of Lunar Dunite Clast from Meteorite NWA 11421 and Physical Constraints on Excavation of Upper Lunar Mantle Material. | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 4 February 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Microstructural Analysis of Lunar Dunite Clast from Meteorite NWA 11421 and Physical Constraints on Excavation of Upper Lunar Mantle Material. Authors : Isaiah Paul Spring 0000-0001-8030-2997 [email protected] , Timmons M. Erickson 0000-0003-4520-7294 , Ananya Mallik 0000-0001-7458-094X , Arkadeep Roy 0009-0002-7643-6049 , and Allan H. Treiman 0000-0002-8073-2839 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177022995.55654693/v1 124 views 90 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The lunar dunite clast, D1, from meteorite NWA 11421 represents the first sample that can be reliably traced to the lunar mantle and promises to provide new insights into the Moon’s interior structure and chemistry. We conducted electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis of the mantle clast to characterize olivine microstructures and to quantify its shock and thermal histories. The EBSD data indicate that D1 experienced a high-pressure, low-temperature shock event. Grain orientation spread (GOS) indicates a weighted shock stage (WSS) of 4.1 ± 1.3, corresponding to shock pressures between 15 and 20 GPa. Crystal rotation axis orientations associated with low-angle (2–10°) misorientations demonstrate preferential activation of C-type slip systems, consistent with relatively low shock temperatures of 723 ± 99 °C. Noticeably, this shock temperature estimate is below the sample’s equilibrium temperature of 980 ± 20 °C determined by Ca-in-pyroxene thermobarometry. This temperature contrast suggests that the thermal state achieved during shock was conducive to preserving the primary trace element signature of the mantle. The olivine within D1 displays a weak B-type crystallographic preferred orientation with a low M-index consistent with shock deformation when compared to various terrestrial mantle xenoliths. Combined with the sample’s depth of origin, these characteristics suggest D1 might have been launched from the Imbrium or Serenitatis basins and may provide the first direct chemical constraints on nearside lunar mantle. Supplementary Material File (1063149_0_merged_1768975168.pdf) Download 1.76 MB File (microstructural analysis of lunar dunite clast_final 01192025.docx) Download 11.40 MB File (supporting information.pdf) Download 191.38 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 04 February 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords geophysics igneous petrology lunar petrology microstructures mineralogy Authors Affiliations Isaiah Paul Spring 0000-0001-8030-2997 [email protected] University of Arizona View all articles by this author Timmons M. Erickson 0000-0003-4520-7294 Jacobs Technology View all articles by this author Ananya Mallik 0000-0001-7458-094X University of Arizona View all articles by this author Arkadeep Roy 0009-0002-7643-6049 The University of Arizona View all articles by this author Allan H. Treiman 0000-0002-8073-2839 Lunar and Planetary Institute View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 124 views 90 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Isaiah Paul Spring, Timmons M. Erickson, Ananya Mallik, et al. Microstructural Analysis of Lunar Dunite Clast from Meteorite NWA 11421 and Physical Constraints on Excavation of Upper Lunar Mantle Material.. Authorea . 04 February 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177022995.55654693/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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