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

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. Here we present density models of the magmatic structures beneath Oceanus Procellarum, derived from Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission data. The 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 conduits, 80-150 km long, extending from near-surface to 6-7 km depth. These magmatic conduits connect the Marius Hills’ northern and southern intrusions and bridge them with the Procellarum western border structures, suggesting that they likely served as central pathways facilitating magma transport across various volcanic systems. These discoveries reveal widespread magmatic connectivity beneath Oceanus Procellarum and underscore the critical role of lateral magma transport processes in shaping the Moon’s volcanic evolution.