Early differentiation and thermal evolution of the Moon

Abstract

Redistribution of radiogenic elements likely plays key roles on the long-term thermal evolution of the Moon. Their transport to the lunar shallow layer and deep interior is required for the rapid cooling of lunar lithosphere and for the late heating of lunar interior inducing mare volcanism, respectively. The overturn of unstably stratified cumulate mantle under the Earth's tidal effect may be responsible for the asymmetry in volcanism and radiogenic element distribution between the near side and the far side of the moon.