Fig. 6: Cartoon summarizing observations. | Nature Communications

Fig. 6: Cartoon summarizing observations.

From: Unveiling magmatic structures and connectivity beneath the lunar Oceanus Procellarum region from GRAIL gravity data

Fig. 6

a The horizontal pressure gradient81 along the rift, coupled with the pressure gradient caused by eruptions and intrusions at Marius-SH, drive the magma to propagate from the rift to Marius-SH. The fractures created by the Reiner impact event and the megaregolith’s fragmented nature facilitate this magmatic activity. b Extensive eruptions and intrusions at Marius-NH cause pressure gradients to propagate rapidly through the regional weak zones/fractures79,80 to Marius-SH. Magma beneath Marius-SH is laterally transported along the fractures from Marius-SH to Marius-NH. To illustrate the magma transport process more clearly, the vertical axis is exaggerated by a factor of ~10 relative to the horizontal axis. PKT Procellarum KREEP Terrane, Marius-NH (northern half), Marius-SH (southern half).

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