Unveiling the Magmatic Architecture Beneath Oceanus Procellarum: Insights from GRAIL Mission Data

TL;DR

This study uses GRAIL data to image the Moon's Oceanus Procellarum region, revealing complex magmatic structures including extensive sill-like conduits that connect volcanic features and suggest widespread magmatic connectivity.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed 3D density models of magmatic structures beneath Oceanus Procellarum, identifying new sill-like conduits and their role in magma transport.

Findings

Identification of linear magmatic structures along the western border.

Discovery of 80-150 km long sill-like conduits extending from surface to 7 km depth.

Evidence of magmatic connectivity across volcanic systems.

Abstract

The Oceanus Procellarum region, characterized by its vast basaltic plains and pronounced volcanic activity, serves as a focal point for understanding the volcanic history of the Moon. Leveraging the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission data, we imaged the magmatic structures beneath the Oceanus Procellarum region. Our 3D density models uncover pronounced linear magmatic structures along the Procellarum's western border and significant intrusions within the northern and southern Marius Hills. Crucially, they reveal three narrow near-horizontal sheeted magmatic structures, 80-150 km long, extending from near-surface to 6- 7 km depth, which we identified as sill-like magmatic conduits. These magmatic conduits connect the Marius Hills' northern and southern intrusions and bridge them with the Procellarum's western border structures. These discoveries suggest that sill-like magmatic conduits likely serve as central pathways facilitating magma transport across various volcanic systems and furthermore indicate widespread magmatic connectivity beneath the Oceanus Procellarum.