Which radioactive elements are proposed to possibly sustain heat in the lunar mantle?
Answer
Potassium, thorium, or uranium
One hypothesis for the unexpectedly late volcanic activity is the presence of higher-than-estimated concentrations of radioactive elements in the lunar mantle. Elements such as potassium, thorium, or uranium generate heat through radioactive decay. If these elements are more abundant in the deep interior of the Moon than previous models suggested, they could provide a persistent heat source capable of keeping parts of the mantle molten and driving volcanic eruptions long after the Moon should have cooled.
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