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Published January 28, 1972 | public
Journal Article

Geologic Setting of the Apollo 15 Samples

Abstract

The samples and photographs returned from the Apollo 15 site show that Hadley Delta is largely underlain by breccias whose clasts are mainly fragments of coarse-grained feldspathic rocks and nonmare-type basalt. Conspicuous sets of lineaments, visible in surface and orbital photographs of Mount Hadley and Hadley Delta, may represent systematic layering or fracture sets. The mare surface, with regolith about 5 meters thick, is underlain by two major basalt types, at least one of which has extensive lateral continuity and is exposed in the upper wall of Hadley Rille. Gradual erosional recession of the edges and filing of the interior of the rille by talus have contributed to the present cross sectional profile.

Additional Information

© 1972 American Association for the Advancement of Science. Received 9 November 1971. Work done under NASA contract T-65253-G. Published by permission of the director, U.S. Geological Survey. This paper is based on the report submitted by the Apollo Lunar Geology Investigation Team to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for inclusion in the Preliminary Science Report for Apollo 15. Contributors to the report are G. A. Swann, N. G. Bailey, R. M. Batson, V. L. Freeman, M. H. Hait, H. E. Holt, K. B. Larson, V. S. Reed, G. G. Schaber, R. L. Sutton, and E. W. Wolfe (U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona); K. A. Howard and H. G. Wilshire (U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California); J. W. Head (Bellcomm, Inc., Washington, D.C.); J. B. Irwin and D. R. Scott (NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas); W. R. Muehlberger (University of Texas, Austin); and L. T. Silver and J. J. Rennilson (California Institute of Technology, Pasadena). Information on rock types was supplied by the Lunar Sample Preliminary Examination Team [see Science 175, 363 (1972)]. The authors assume full responsibility for the categories of rock types as presented here and for all interpretations concerning the samples.

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023