Unveiling the Magmatic Architecture Beneath Oceanus Procellarum: Insights from GRAIL Mission 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. Leveraging the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission data, we imaged the magmatic structures beneath the Oceanus Procellarum region. Our 3D density 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 structures, 80-150 km long, extending from near-surface to 6- 7 km depth, which we identified as sill-like magmatic conduits. These magmatic conduits connect the Marius Hills' northern and southern intrusions and bridge them with the Procellarum's western border structures. These discoveries suggest that sill-like magmatic conduits likely serve as central pathways facilitating magma transport across various volcanic systems and furthermore indicate widespread magmatic connectivity beneath the Oceanus Procellarum.