High resolution measurements of absolute thorium abundances on the lunar surface

Authors
Lawrence, DJ Feldman, WC Barraclough, BL Binder, AB Elphic, RC Maurice, S Miller, MC Prettyman, TH
Citation
Dj. Lawrence et al., High resolution measurements of absolute thorium abundances on the lunar surface, GEOPHYS R L, 26(17), 1999, pp. 2681-2684
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
ISSN journal
00948276 → ACNP
Volume
26
Issue
17
Year of publication
1999
Pages
2681 - 2684
Database
ISI
SICI code
0094-8276(19990901)26:17<2681:HRMOAT>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
The Lunar Prospector (LP) Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) has been used to map the global abundance of thorium on the lunar surface. A global map of abso lute thorium abundances on a 2 degrees by 2 degrees equal-area pixel scale is presented using new detector modeling results and low altitude LP data. Because thorium is relatively abundant in KREEP-rich material, these data p rovide fundamental information regarding the locations and importance of te rranes that are rich in KREEP bearing materials.