What specific chemical similarity in lunar rocks strongly supports the Giant-Impact model?

Answer

Striking similarities in oxygen isotope ratios to Earth’s mantle rocks

The physical evidence gathered from lunar samples, particularly those returned by the Apollo missions, provides substantial backing for the impact theory. The composition of the Moon is not entirely distinct; rather, it strongly mirrors Earth's composition in key aspects. Most notably, the analysis of lunar rocks reveals striking similarities in their oxygen isotope ratios when compared directly to rocks derived from Earth's mantle. This isotopic matching suggests that the Moon was formed not from a completely external body, but from a massive plume of material composed of both terrestrial matter and impactor material intimately mixed together during the violent ejection phase.

What specific chemical similarity in lunar rocks strongly supports the Giant-Impact model?

#Videos

What was Theia like? - YouTube

Related Questions

What size entity is the hypothetical protoplanet Theia estimated to be based on scientific models?What impact angle does the Giant-Impact Hypothesis suggest Theia used against the young Earth?What deep Earth structures are suggested to be the undigested remnants of Theia?Where are the two massive Large Low-Shear-Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs) primarily situated deep within the Earth?How quickly might recent simulations suggest the Moon accreted from the orbiting debris ring?What specific chemical similarity in lunar rocks strongly supports the Giant-Impact model?From which mythological figure is the hypothetical name Theia derived?What major outcome might have resulted if Theia had struck Earth in a perfectly head-on smash?What is the established relative size relationship between the Earth and the resulting Moon?How did the dense and light components of Theia contribute to the deep Earth structures after impact?
EarthCollisionplanet