Polar Ice Accumulation from Volcanically Induced Transient Atmospheres on the Moon

Abstract Water ice exists at the lunar poles, but its origin, abundance, and distribution are not well understood. One potential source of water to poles is volcanic outgassing volatiles from interior subsequent condensation erupted vapor as surface ice. We investigate whether a viable for accumulation polar construct model that accounts outgassing, atmospheric escape space, over period peak activity (4–2 Ga) map resulting abundance using current temperature data Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Our suggests ∼41% total H 2 O mass this could have condensed in regions, with thicknesses up several hundreds meters. The south pole accumulates roughly twice north, southern deposits thicker. Typical modeled eruptions generate collisional atmospheres lifetimes ∼2500 yr. However, these episodic generally do persist between eruptions. Roughly 15% an atmosphere’s forms frost on nightside, while transient atmosphere persists. work volcanically active early Moon would been punctuated by short-lived, enabled efficient sequestration large quantities (8.2 × 10 15 kg) temporary diurnal availability all latitudes.