Petrology and mineralogy of volcanic glass in meteorite Northwest Africa 11801: Implications for their petrogenesis

Abstract The study of lunar magma evolution holds significant importance within the scientific community due to its relevance in understanding Moon's thermal and geological history. However, intricate task unraveling history early volcanic activity on Moon is hindered by high flux impactors, which have substantially changed morphology pristine constructs. In this study, we focus a unique glass found meteorite Northwest Africa 11801. This kind bead‐like shape compositionally similar Apollo‐14 Apollo‐17 very low‐Ti glass. Our research approach involves conducting comprehensive analysis petrology mineralogy glass, coupled with multiple thermodynamic modeling techniques. Through investigation, aim shed light petrological characteristics evolutionary results indicate that primitive was created at 1398–1436°C 8.3–11.9 kbar (166–238 km) from an olivine+orthopyroxene mantle source region. Then, ascended toward surface along non‐adiabatic path ascent rate ~40 m s −1 or 0.2 MPa . During ascent, only olivine crystallized onset eruption occurred ~1320–1343°C. Finally, cooled rapidly cooling ranging between 20 200 K min Considerable evidence petrology, mineralogy, rate, beads strongly supports occurrence ancient explosive volcanism Moon.