Weathering, shock metamorphism and type distribution patterns of 98 ordinary chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of ninety-eight ordinary chondrites from Grove Mountains (GRV), Antarctica, were presented and their.weathering effect, shock metamorphism and type distribution patterns were discussed in this study. Among them, six are unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, including 3 H3 and 3 L3; and 92 meteorites are equilibrated ordinary chondrites, including 24 H-group (13 H4, 10 H5, 1 H6), 64 L-group (2 L4, 44 L5, 18 L6) and 4 LL-group (3 LL4, 1 LL5). Most GRV chondrites (>90%) displayed minor weathering effect (W1 and W2). About half of the meteorites experienced severe shock metamorphism. They commonly contain shock-induced melt veins and pockets. These heavily shocked meteorites provide us with natural samples for study of high-pressure polymorphs of minerals. In addition, the Grove Mountains collection seems to have more abundant unequilibrated and L group ordinary chondrites compared to the US Antarctic meteorite collection which were mainly found along the Transantarctic Mountains.     

Shock metamorphism of ordinary chondrites from Grove Mountains, Antarctica

Shock effects of 93 Grove Mountains (GRV) ordinary chondrites were studied in this work, including fracture, various types of extinction, and recrystallization of silicates observed under optical microscopy. Shock-induced veins and pockets show various microtextures, decomposition and phase transformation of minerals. The confirmed high-pressure polymorphs of silicates are ringwoodite, majorite, pyroxene glass and maskelynite. Based on the shock effects and assemblages of high-pressure minerals, shock stages of all of 93 GRV chondrites were classified. In comparison with literature, the Grove Mountains meteorites have a higher fraction (23 out of 93) of heavily shocked samples (S4-S5). Most of the heavily shocked meteorites are L group (22 out of 23), except for one H chondrite. The distinct shock metamorphism between H and L groups may indicate different surface properties of their parent bodies. In addition, there is relationship between petrologic types and shock stages, with most heavily shocked samples observed in equilibrated ordinary chondrites (especially Type 5 and 6).     

Chemical compositions and cassfication of Grove Mountains （GRV） 98003 and other Chinese iron meteorites

Concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Ge, As, Sb, W, Re, Ir, Pt and Au of two ungrouped iron meteorites, Grove Mountains （GRV） 98003 from Antarctica and Ujimqin, were measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis. According to the bulk chemistry, GRV 98003 is classified as a member of ⅠAB group, and Ujimqin as a unique one of ⅠAB iron meteorite complex. The elemental abundance pattern and correlation between elements （e. g. Ni-Au, Co-Au, As-Au, W- Au, Cu-Au, Sb-Au） of GRV 98003 are similar with those of NAW 468 （ⅠAB）, but significantly depleted in refractory siderophile elements （ Re, It） and moderate volatile elements （Ca, Ge） relative to the latter. In addition, we reclassify Nantan （ⅢCD） as a member of ⅠAB main group （MG） and Yongning （ⅠA） as a unique iron meteorite related with IAB iron meteorite complex.     

Petrography and Mineral Chemistry of 4 Carbonaceous Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of four carbonaceous chondrites (GRV 020017, GRV 020025, GRV 021579, GRV 022459) collected from the Grove Mountains (GRV), Antarctica, were reported here. All four chondrites are unequilibrated, as indicated by well shaped chondrules and the chemical variations of olivine and low-Ca pyroxene. The modal abundance ratio of matrix/chondrule are 2(GRV 020017), 2.8(GRV 020025), 1.2(GRV 021579), 1(GRV 022459). GRV 022459 has the largest chondrules(0.6-2.0mm). A total of 30 Ca-Al-rich inclusions were found in the four meteorites. Most inclusions were highly altered, with abundant phyllosilicates in the inclusions of GRV 020017 and GRV 020025. On the base of petrography and mineral chemistry, these chondrites are classified as CM2 (GRV 020017 and 020025), CO3 (GRV 021579) and CV3 (GRV 022459).     

GRV 051523： A new eucrite

Grove Mountains (GRV) 051523 is a newly identified eucrite, consisting mainly of coarse-grained pyroxene (62.9 vol%) and plagioclase (34.2 vol%), with less abundant opaque minerals (2.7 vol%), minor silica and tiny FeO-rich olivine (Fa75). Coarse-grained pyroxenes show exsolution of augite lamellae in pigeonite or vice versa. Width of most exsolution lamellae in pyroxenes is 1-3 μm. Opaque minerals are mainly chromite, ilmenite and sulfides. The meteorite was heavily shocked, as indicated by breccias and melt veins. Coarse-grained pyroxenes commonly contain abundant tiny or needle-like chromite inclusions with orientation, probably due to heavy shock events. Pyroxenes in various petrographic occurrences exhibit highly homogeneous compositions, indicating that GRV 051523 experienced intense thermal metamorphism in the parent asteroid 4 Vesta. GRV 051523 is classified as Type 5-6. This new eucrite will have additional constraints on chemical composition, magmatic differentiation, multi-stage shock and thermal history of Vesta.     

Exposure ages and radiogenic ages of ureilite(GRV 024516) and ordinary chondrite(GRV 024517) from Antarctica

The GRV 024516 and GRV 024517 meteorite samples collected from Grove Montains,Antactica are ureilite and H5 ordinary chondrite,respectively.Based on the study of mineralogy-petrology,the cosmic-ray exposure ages and gas retention ages of these two meteorites were determinated and calculated.Their cosmic-ray exposure ages are 33.3 Ma,51.7 Ma,and gas retention ages are 1936.8 Ma and 3720 Ma,respectively.The ureilite contains diamond,graphite and amorphous C,which are mainly carrier of noble gases indicating obviously shock metamorphism effects,which induced 40Ar partial loss.The H5 chondrite indicates thermal metamorphism of parent body,its gas retention age fall the range between 3220 Ma and 4510 Ma of the least shocked H5 chondrites     

Progress in study of Chinese Antarctic Meteorites

This paper reviews and summarizes the Chinese Antarctica meteorite search, classification and research. During the past four antarctic explorations, a total of 9834 meteorites were collected in the Grove Mountains region. Among them, 2431 meteorites were classified by the end of 2008. So far, 684 meteorites have been officially published in the Meteoritical Bulletin, Meteoritical Society, including 2 martian meteorites, 2 eucrites, 6 ureilites, 5 mesosiderites, 1 pallasite, 1 iron and 10 carbonaceous chondrites. Comprehensive studies were carried out on a number of these rare type meteorites. In addition, we propose to continue the meteorite searching project in Grove Mountains and other regions in Antarctica. We also suggest several key topics of the future researches on the Chinese Antarctic meteorites.     

Geochemistry of the Martian Meteorite GRV 99027

GRV 90027 is a Martian lherzolitic shergottites (L-S) containing poikilitic, non-poikilitic, and melted pocket components. GRV 99027 is mainly composed of olive (55 vol%) and pyroxene (37.5 vol%), with minor maskelynite (6 vol%) and chromite (1.5 vol%), and trace whitelockite and troilite, ect. In this paper, the mineralogy and petrology of GRV 99027 are reported; in addition, the geochemical characteristics of the REEs and H isotopes in the GRV 99027 are also further investigated. The ΣREE in GRV 99027 is relatively low; HREEs are enriched in olivine and pyroxene grains; LREEs are enriched in plagioclase with a high positive Eu anomaly. High ΣREE value is found in rare mineral whitlockite (less than 0.2 vol%), LREE≈HREE, and whitlockite has a negative Eu anomaly. The REE distribution patterns of the whole -rock of GRV 99027 is similar to but different from that of other L-S Martian meteorites, indicating that they came from different location of Mars. GRV 99027 has a high δD value. Different water-bearing minerals give different contribution for δD value. The δD of phosphates generally does not correlate with water content, and δD has a weak negative correlation with water content. GRV 99027 can be classified as an L-S Martian meteorite based on mineralogical assemblage patterns, REE distribution patterns, and hydrogen isotope. The isotope data of Sr, Nd, Pb, Os and REE from other L-S Martian meteorites were collected to discuss the formation history of the GRV 99027. Similar to other L-S Martian meteorites, GRV 99027 originated from part of Mar's mantle; during one strong impact event about 4M years ago, the meteorites were ejected from deep mantle into space, and traveled for a different duration in space (indicated by different cosmic exposure time), and captured by the Earth later in different time, ultimately falling on the Antarctica as L-S Martian meteorites.     

Petrology of ureilites from Grove Mountains, Antarctica：Constraints on the origins

Ureilites are a common group of achondrites with a high abundance of carbon. They probably have a genetic relationship with chondrites, hence provide an insight into origin and evolution of terrestrial planets. A new meteorite-rich region, Grove Mountains (GRV), was found by the Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition, with discovery of 9834 meteorites. Of 2433 meteorites classified, 9 ureilites have been identified. In this paper, we report petrography of 6 of these ureilites. Four ureilites contain graphite and exhibit triangle conjunction and common reduced margins of olivine. GRV 052382 probably experienced heavy shock metamorphism followed by fast cooling, as indicated by mosaic texture or fine-grained granular texture of olivine. GRV 022931 was highly reduced of these ureilites, with olivine as isolated grains in abundant carbonaceous matrix. All 9 ureilites are monomict, and are classified into subtype II (with medium FeO content, Fa15-18) and subtype I (with high FeO content, Fa>18) based on compositions of the cores of olivine. The diverse mineral compositions and petrography of these ureilites suggest that they are not paired and reveal a multi-event history of the parent body. Partial melting of the parent body produced carbon-rich magma, followed by crystallization of graphite and silicates. Later, graphite was partially inverted to diamond by shock events. Reburial of the shocked debris experienced various degree of thermal metamorphism. Finally, these rocks were excavated from the parent asteroid and ejected into Earth-cross orbit by another impact event.     

Classification of Grove Mountains meteorites and its significance

Meteorites are the extraterrestrial rocks, which provide insights into the origin and evolution of the solar system. During the past half century, a great number of meteorites has been discovered on the Antarctic Ice Sheet, confirming that the Antarctica is the most important meteorite concentration area on the earth. Since the first four Antarctic meteorites were found in Grove Mountains in 1998, a total of 9834 meteorites have been collected by four subsequent expeditions. It opens a new field of meteorite study in China, and also accumulates a great deal of scientific samples for China. Recently, classification of Grove Mountains meteorites has been carried out for 6 years, and made following progresses: (1) 2433 meteorites, which include many special meteorites, e.g. Martian meteorites, ureilites and carbonaceous chondrites, have been classified. (2) the Antarctic meteorite curation and the sample sharing system are set up preliminarily. (3) the classification procedure, the management of meteorite samples, and the application procedure for the Antarctic meteorites are completed after the systematic classification during these years. (4) young generation researchers on meteorite are trained through the cooperation of many universities and institutes on meteorite classification.     

The digital mapping of satellite images under no ground control and the distribution of landform, blue ice and meteorites in the Grove Mountains, Antarctica

The colorful satellite image maps with the scale of 1∶100　000 were made by processing the parameters-on-satellite under the condition of no data of field surveying. The purpose is to ensure the smooth performance of the choice of expedition route, navigation and research task before the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) first made researches on the Grove Mountains. Moreover, on the basis of the visual interpretation of the satellite image, we preliminarily analyze and discuss the relief and landform, blue ice and meteorite distribution characteristics in the Grove Mountains. Key words　Grove Mountains, parameters-on-satellite, satellite image, digital mapping, blue ice, meteorites distribution.     

The establishment of GPS network in Grove Mountains, East Antarctica

1 Introduction The Grove Mountains is located at Princess Elizabeth land in East Antarctica, about 400 km from Zhongshan station and 160 km east of the Mawson Escarpment, consists of a scattered group of mountains and nunataks. The range extends73°-76°E…     

Subdivision of petrologic type of unequilibrated ordinary chondrites from Antarctica

We report results of petrologic and mineralogical studies of 25 unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (19 Chinese Antarctic meteorites) using electron microprobe, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) techniques. With increasing degree of thermal metamorphism, chemical zoning of olivine was erased; plessite was transformed into intergrowths of coarser-grained kamacite and Ni-rich metal; Cr exsolved from ferroan olivine, produced needle-like crystals and coarsened into equant chromite grains; and feldspar crystallized during devitrification of glass and recrystallization of matrix. These features can help to identify different metamorphic grades. Based on the scheme by Sears et al (1982), we subdivided type 3 Chinese Antarctic ordinary chondrites into petrologic type 3.3 to 4 (3 type 3.3, 3 type 3.4, 1 type 3.5, 2 type 3.6, 2 type 3.7, 5 type 3.8, 3 type 4). This classification scheme is a quite effective way to subdivide Antarctic meteorites. Additionally, we propose to revise the chemical groups of GRV 020032 and GRV 020104 to L and H, respectively.     

南极Grove山自然保护区信息系统的设计与实现

位于东南极Grove山地区的天然地质和独特地貌有助于解决许多重大的科学问题.为了保护该地区特殊的科学价值、美学价值和荒野价值,中国提出了建立南极Grove山自然保护区的设想,如何有效管理该地区的信息资源,为保护区的设立和管理提供决策支持成了一个急需解决的问题.本文介绍了南极自然保护区的研究现状,分析了南极Grove山自然保护信息系统数据特点,以及功能和性能需求,设计了双重模式(C/S模式和B/S模式)三层体系框架(数据层、应用层和表现层)的南极Grove山自然保护区信息系统,在此基础上,采用组件式GIS和Web GIS技术实现了原型系统,从而为Grove山空间数据和专题数据的有效管理,以及自然保护区的决策支持管理,提供了保护区信息交流与共享的平台.     

Preliminary study on the erratic exposure ages of Grove Mountains, East Antarctica

The first study of erratic boulder exposure ages in the Grove Mountains,interior Antarctica,indicates the two erratic boulders(060131-1 and 060131-2,collected from a typical nunataks,Zakharoff Ridge in the Grove Mountains) have 10Be minimum exposure ages of 1.24±0.11 Ma,1.37±0.12 Ma,and 26Al ages of 0.90±0.12 Ma,0.44±0.04 Ma,respectively.Meanwhile,another erratic boulder sample 060131-4,coming from vicinal ice surface,has 10Be and 26Al minimum exposure ages of 0.47±0.3 Ma and 0.44±0.04 Ma,respectively.The e...     

Preliminary study on the spore-pollen assemblages found in the Cenozoic sedimentary rocks in Grove Mountains, east Antarctica and its climatic implications

Glaciogene sedimentary rocks have been found in modem tills of the Grove Mountains, east Antarctica during the 1998 - 1999 Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition （CHNARE）. Based on the lithilogic and sedimentary features, these sedimentary rocks are correlated with Cenozoic sedimentary strata of the Pagodroma Group in the neighboring Prince Charles Mountains and the Sorsdal Formation in VestFold Hills. Sedimentary clasts contain sparsely Late Tertiary spores and pollens, including ： Toroisporis （ Lygodiaceae）, Osmunda, Granulatisporites （ Pteridaceae？） , Polypodiaceae, Podocarpus , Araucariaceae, Artemisia , Rhus , Nothofagidites , Proteacidites （Proteaceae） , Quercus , Fraxinoipollenites （ Oleaceae ） , Oleoidearumpollenites（ Oleaceae ）, Operculumpollis, and Tricolpopollenites. Most of the pollen and spores contained in these samples originate from local sources according to the conditions of their preservations as well as correlations with the microfossil assemblages found in the neighboring areas. The majority of the pollen assemblages, as represented by Podocarpus and Nothofagus, belong to the Weddellian biogeocenose, however some exotic components from the old sedimentary basement rocks may have been included during erosion of the proximal ice sheet. If the source areas of glaciogenic sedimentary rocks that bear the pollen and spores are assumed to be local, or in the up glacier areas, the pollen assemblages in these samples might represent an inland flora during a warmer period of the ice-sheet evolutionary history. The finding of the Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae in the pollen assemblages implies that they may belong to late Tertiary （most probably Pliocene）. The absence of diatoms in the samples analyzed may indicate that there are no Cenozoic marine strata in the interior of the east Antarctica beyond the Grove Mountains. The significances of the finding of the Nothofagus in these pollen assemblages are discussed on the basis of current knowledge about the age, distribution and ecological conditions of this kind of fossils found in Sirius Group or other strata outcropped in Antarctica. As a preliminary conclusion, we think that the existence of the Cenozoic glaciogenenic rocks and their pollen assemblages present new evidence for a large scale glacial retreat history in Grove Mountains of east Antarctica, and thus support a dynamic East Antarctic Ice Sheet （EAIS）. This is consistent with the interpretations of Webb et al. （1984）.     

GPR Surveying in the kernel area of Grove Mountains,Antarctica

The Grove Mountains, located between the Zhongshan Station and Dome A, are a very important area in inland Antarctic research. China has organized five investigations of the Grove Mountains, encompassing the geological structure, ancient climate, meteorites, ice-movement monitoring, basic mapping, meteorological observations, and other multi-disciplinary observational studies. During the 26th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition in 2010, the Grove Mountains investigation team applied specialized ground-penetrating radar(GPR) to survey subglacial topography in the eastern kernel area of the Grove Mountains. In this paper, we processed GPS and GPR data gathered in the field and drew, for the first time, two subglacial topographic maps of the Grove Mountains kernel area using professional graphics software. The preliminary results reveal the mystery of the nunatak landform of this area, give an exploratory sense of the real bedrock landforms, and indicate a possible sedimentary basin under the Pliocene epoch fossil ice in the Grove Mountains area. Additionally, it has been proven from cross-sectional analysis between Mount Harding and the Zakharoff ridge that the box-valley shape between two nunataks has already matured. ′     

Shock metamorphism in meteorites

Shock metamorphism resulting from hypervelocity collisions between planetary bodies, is a fundamental processes in the solar system. The term "shock metamorphism" is used to describe all changes in rocks and minerals resulting from the passage of shock waves. Most meteorites have experienced collisions and have a record of shock metamorphism, which includes brecciation, deformation, phase transformation, local melting and crystallization. The key to reading this record is to use the shock features to estimate the pressure and duration of shock event. In this paper, the history of the study of shock metamorphism is reviewed; basic knowledge of shock physics is discussed; recent 10 years' studies of shock-induced melt veins are summarized; and finally a short note to the shock metamorphism in general is given.     

Evidence for warmer event from quartz grains in the soil of Grove Mountains, East Antarctica

The cold desert soll has been discovered at first time in southern ridge of Mount Harding, Grove Mountains of interior East Antarctica Ice Sheet. Based on the micro structural observation, dominant characteristics of quartz grains include： distinct surface stria and fractures, and clean features of frost action at both of crystal margins and micro crannies of quartz grains. These features show a pedogenesis environment of few water, short transportation and frost action, revealing a warmer climatic event existed in this re, on.     

Summer weather characteristics on the Grove Mountain of East Antarctica

The summer weather characteristics of the Grove Mountain, East Antarctica, are presented based on the data obtained by Chinese National Antarctic Expedition (CHINARE) in January 1999. The result shows that the pattern of daily variation of temperature and the prevailing wind direction in Grove is similar to that of Zhongshan Station. However, the daily range of temperature and strong wind frequency are much higher than those of Zhongshan Station. The change of wind direction is close to the weather system that impacted the Grove Mountain. The warm and wet air from northern parts often causes the precipitation. The clear weather appears when controlled by eastern winds in January.