Engineering topics

Taylor, Stuart Ross

Publications and source records attributed to Taylor, Stuart Ross.

5 records

NASA NTRS1993

The Mg-suite and the highland crust: An unsolved enigma

Most of the rocks returned from the highlands are polymict breccias, pulverized by the massive bombardment. However, some monomict breccias with low siderophile element contents are considered to be 'pristine' rocks that represent the original igneous components making up the highland crust. Three principal pristine constituents make up the lunar highland crust: ferroan anorthosites, the Mg-suite, and KREEP. A discussion of these three constituents is presented.

Taylor, Stuart Ross↗

NASA NTRS1989

Geochemical implications of the formation of the moon by a single giant impact

The origin of the moon by a single massive impact of a body slightly larger than Mars with the earth can explain the angular momentum, orbital characteristics and unique nature of the earth-moon system. The density and chemical differences between the earth and the moon are accounted for by deriving the moon from the mantle of the impactor. A cosmochemically plausible impactor can be formed in the region of the inner Solar System, lending support to the impact hypothesis.

Newsom, Horton E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Crustal growth in the Archean: The geochemical evidence

Differences between Archean and post-Archean crusts; growth models; Archean high-grade terrains; tectonic significance; and Archean crustal growth are examined briefly.

Taylor, Stuart Ross↗

NASA NTRS1988

Growth of planetary crusts

The solid planets and satellites mostly have crusts which differ markedly in composition both from their interior, and from primordial solar nebula composition. Primary crusts, mercury, icy crusts, early intense cratering, Mars, Venus, Ganymede, and tertiary crusts are discussed.

Taylor, Stuart Ross↗

NASA NTRS1986

Rare earth element patterns in Archean high-grade metasediments and their tectonic significance

REE data on metasedimentary rocks from two different types of high-grade Archean terrains are presented and analyzed. The value of REEs as indicators of crustal evolution is explained; the three geologic settings (in North America, Southern Africa, and Australia) from which the samples were obtained are described; and the data are presented in extensive tables and graphs and discussed in terms of metamorphic effects, the role of accessory phases, provenance, and tectonic implications (recycling, the previous extent of high-grade terrains, and a model of Archean crustal growth). The diversity of REE patterns in shallow-shelf metasediments is attributed to local provenance, while the Eu-depleted post-Archean patterns are associated with K-rich plutons from small, stable early Archean terrains.

Taylor, Stuart Ross↗