Core Insights - The research reveals that the Moon experienced volcanic activity much later than previously believed, specifically between 2 to 2.8 billion years ago, challenging the notion that it became "inactive" 3 billion years ago [1] - A new thermal dynamic mechanism is proposed, suggesting that as the Moon cooled, its lithosphere thickened, trapping magma in the upper mantle, which could then transfer heat and trigger volcanic eruptions [1] Group 1 - The study utilized samples from the Chang'e 6 mission to uncover the heat-driven mechanisms behind late lunar volcanic activity [1] - Two types of basalt were identified in the Chang'e 6 samples, indicating different sources: ultra-low titanium basalt from deep within the Moon's mantle and low titanium basalt from a shallower mantle [1] - Traditional theories linking late lunar volcanic activity to water or radioactive elements have been refuted by the findings from the Chang'e missions [1] Group 2 - The research indicates chemical differences in late volcanic rocks between the Moon's near side and far side, suggesting a variation in mantle composition, which provides new insights into the Moon's asymmetric evolution [2]

作为地球的一颗天然卫星，月球起源演化一直以来备受关注。科学界普遍认为，月球在30亿年前就 已"休眠"，其火山活动基本停止。 不过，中国嫦娥五号、六号任务分别带回月球正面20亿年前、月球背面28亿年前形成的玄武岩样 品，研究证实月球在所谓晚年期依然发生火山喷发。这就引出一个关键科学问题——何种热动力机制支 撑着月球在"晚年"仍保持活力？ 揭示月球年轻火山活动机制 发现月球不对称演化新线索 为进一步验证新机制模型，研究团队还分析了全月球遥感数据，发现距今30亿年前后月球火山活动 的热动力机制发生明显转变——30亿年之前热源复杂多样，可能包括放射性物质、潮汐力和陨石撞击 等；30亿年之后则趋于单一，自下而上的热传输机制占据主导，使得年轻月球火山活动的源区集中在浅 部月幔。 对全月球遥感数据的进一步分析显示，月球正面的晚期火山岩石化学特征基本都与嫦娥五号玄武岩 相近，而背面则更大多接近嫦娥六号的超低钛玄武岩。 研究团队认为，这表明月球正面和背面的月幔组成可能存在差异：正面月幔浅部含钛铁矿较多，而 背面则相对较少。他们这一发现为理解月球的不对称演化提供了新线索。 来自中国科学院的最新消息说，针对月球"晚年"火山喷发这一 ...

Core Insights - The research reveals that the Moon has experienced volcanic activity during its "late" period, challenging the long-held belief that it became dormant around 3 billion years ago [1][2] - The study identifies two distinct types of basalt from the Chang'e 6 samples, indicating different sources and depths of formation, which contributes to understanding the Moon's thermal evolution [2][4] Group 1: Volcanic Activity - The study confirms that volcanic eruptions occurred on the Moon even in its later stages, raising questions about the heat dynamics that sustain this activity [1][2] - Two types of basalt were identified: "ultra-low titanium basalt" from deep within the Moon's mantle (approximately 120 km from the surface) and "low titanium basalt" from a shallower depth (60-80 km) [2][4] Group 2: Thermal Mechanisms - The research proposes a new thermal mechanism where magma, trapped in the upper mantle, can transfer heat upward, leading to partial melting and subsequent volcanic eruptions [2][3] - Traditional hypotheses linking volcanic activity to water-rich or radioactive heat sources were disproven, as the identified source regions were found to be dry and lacking radioactive elements [2][4] Group 3: Asymmetrical Evolution - Analysis of lunar remote sensing data indicates a significant shift in volcanic heat sources around 3 billion years ago, transitioning from diverse sources to a dominant upward heat transfer mechanism [3][4] - The chemical characteristics of late-stage volcanic rocks on the Moon's near side are similar to those of the Chang'e 5 basalt, while the far side shows a closer resemblance to the ultra-low titanium basalt from Chang'e 6, suggesting compositional differences in the lunar mantle [4] Group 4: Implications for Lunar Studies - The findings from the Chang'e 6 samples not only enhance the understanding of the Moon's thermal evolution but also provide insights into volcanic mechanisms on other small celestial bodies [5][6] - The ongoing research is expected to uncover more mysteries about the Earth-Moon system, indicating that the Moon's geological history is more complex than previously thought [5][6]