What chemical content dictates the contrast between mafic mare basalts and felsic highland material?
Answer
Magnesium-iron rich vs Feldspar-rich content
The fundamental visual and chemical contrast between the dark maria and the light highlands boils down to the difference between mafic and felsic compositions. The mare basalts are considered mafic because they contain high concentrations of magnesium-iron rich minerals like pyroxene and olivine, which absorb light. Conversely, the highlands crust is felsic, dominated by anorthosite which is rich in feldspar. This simple chemical variation—the relative abundance of magnesium-iron silicates versus feldspar—is what dictates the stark difference in reflectivity and visible appearance of the two major lunar terrains.
Related Questions
What is the key constituent defining the material of the lunar maria?What minerals high in iron and magnesium cause the maria's darker color?What rock type dominates the lighter-hued lunar highlands?Lunar basalts are notably characterized as being what, unlike many terrestrial basalts?Which mineral is the lunar highlands rock anorthosite rich in?What property allowed basaltic lava to spread across vast distances to form the maria?Which iron-titanium oxide mineral contributes to the dark character of mare basalts?What did early astronomers mistakenly believe the lunar maria were?The maria formed when basaltic lava flowed into and filled what features?What chemical content dictates the contrast between mafic mare basalts and felsic highland material?