New kind of type 3 chondrite with a graphite-magnetite matrix

We have discovered four clasts in three ordinary-chondrite regolith breccias which are a new kind of type 3 chondrite. Like ordinary and carbonaceous type 3 chondrites, they have distinct chondrules, some of which contain glass, highly heterogeneous olivines and pyroxenes, and predominantly monoclinic low-Ca pyroxenes. But instead of the usual fine-grained, Fe-rich silicate matrix, the clasts have a matrix composed largely of aggregates of micron- and submicron-sized graphite and magnetite. The bulk compositions of the clasts as well as the types of chondrules (largely porphyritic) are typical of type 3 ordinary chondrites, although chondrules in the clasts are somewhat smaller (0.1–0.5 mm). A close relationship with ordinary chondrites is also indicated by the presence of similar graphite-magnetite aggregates in seven type 3 ordinary chondrites. This new kind of chondrite is probably the source of the abundant graphite-magnetite inclusions in ordinary-chondrite regolith breccias, and may be more common than indicated by the absence of whole meteorites made of chondrules and graphite-magnetite.     

Some clues to the history of the H-group chondrites

SEM, optical and chemical observations have been performed on 12 H3-6 chondrites, 9 of them being also studied by other groups. Morphological features of chondrules and crystals (growth steps) are shown; the significance of the finely crystallised troilite in Menow and Ambapur Nagla is discussed in the light of the discovery that the NiFe blebs associated with it are Ni-rich (50–60% Ni). Sulphur should have been mobilized without shock evidence possibly as a result of solar heating. Pre-chondritic relict material is recognized by anomalous or variable mineral compositions, and in some cases, by the presence of overgrowths on relict cores. After short notes on individual chondrites, a tentative history of H chondrites is proposed. The chondrule-forming episode is considered as a remelting of pre-existing material. The accretion would immediately follow this event for type 6 (around 1000°C), and would occur at progressively lower temperature for types 5 and 4. Type 3 would represent material coming from an extended source region, an hypothesis consistent with the broader range composition of the particles and with their cooling before accretion to much lower temperatures (below 350°C).     

Thermomagnetic analysis of meteorites, 3. C3 and C4 chondrites

Thermomagnetic analysis was made on samples of all known C3 and C4 chondrites in a controlled oxygen atmosphere. Considerable variation was noted in the occurrence of magnetic minerals, comparable to the variation observed earlier in the C2 chondrites. Magnetite was found as the only major magnetic phase in samples of only three C3 chondrites (2–4 wt.%) and the Karoonda C4 chondrite (7.7 wt.%). The magnetite content of these three C3 chondrites is only about one-third that observed in the C1 and C2 chondrites which were found to contain magnetite as the only magnetic phase. Five C3 chondrites were observed to undergo chemical change during heating, producing magnetite: this behavior is characteristic of troilite oxidation. Upper limits on initial magnetite content of about 1–9% were established for these meteorites. Samples of the remaining five C3 chondrites and the Coolidge C4 chondrite were found to contain both magnetite and metallic iron. In two samples, iron containing ≤2% Ni was observed, while in the other four, the iron contained 6–8 wt.% Ni. In addition to containing both magnetite and iron metal, three of these samples reacted during heating to form additional magnetite. Variations in the magnetic mineralogy and, hence by inference bulk mineralogy, of C3 and C4 chondrites indicate a more complex genesis than is evident from whole-rock elemental abundance patterns.     

Remarques sur la matrice des chondrites ordinaires d'apres l'observation de quelques chondrites a bronzite peu ou pas choquees

Microscopic investigations have been done on the chondrites Sena and Nadiabondi (H5, not shocked), Ste. Marguerite en Comines (H4, very slightly shocked), Allegan (H5, slightly shocked). Only in such cases can the matrix be easily observed and compared to those of type 3 chondrites. The <100 μm debris found in types 4 and 5 that we have observed are not the result of the metamorphism of type 3 fines.The abundance of tiny debris is in direct relation with the intensity of the shock though this shock was insufficient to provoke either the induration of the stones or a significant loss of rare gases. The bulk of the fines are the result of local disaggregation of the most brittle parts from chondrules and fragments.A low-temperature matrix has not been observed in these meteorites but only in H3 chondrites, as a coating around the chondrules. The accretion modelists should take into account the absence or the scarcity of fine particles in their calculations.     

Meteorite magnetism and the early solar system magnetic field

The ferromagnetism of irons, stony-irons, E-, H-, L- and LL-chondrites and achondrites is due to a metallic phase comprising mostly Fe and Ni and small amounts of Co and P. The ferromagnetic constituent in non-metamorphosed C-chondrites is magnetite, but some metamorphosed C-chondrites contain FeNi metallic grains too.

Among the stony meteorites, the content of metals as determined by their saturation magnetization (I_S) sharply decreases in the order E → H → L → LL → achondrites, whereas the I_S value for magnetite and additional metals in C-chondrites ranges from the I_S value of achondrites to that of L-chondrites.

With an increase of Ni-content in the metallic phase in chondrites of the order E → H → L → LL → C, the relative amount of Ni-poor kamacite magnetization, I_S(), in the total I_S decreases in the same order, from I_S()/I_S 1 for E-chondrites to I_S()/I_S 0 for C-chondrites. Thus, E-, H-, L-, LL- and C-chondrites and achondrites are well separated in a diagram of I_S()/I_S versus I, which could be called a magnetic classification diagram for stony meteorites.

As the surface skin layer of all meteorites is anomalously magnetized, it must be removed and the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of the unaltered interior only must be examined for the paleomagnetic study. The NMR of C-chondrites is highly stable and that of achondrites is reasonably stable against AF-demagnetization, whereas the NMR of E-chondrites and ordinary chondrites as well as stony-iron meteorites is not very stable in most cases. Although the NRM of iron meteorites is reasonably stable, it is not attributable to the extraterrestrial magnetic field.

The paleointensity for Allende C₃-chondrite is estimated to be about 1.0 Oe assuming that its NRM is of TRM origin. The paleointensity for other reasonably reliable C-chondrites (Orgueil, Mighei, Leoville and Karoonda) is also around 1 Oe.

The paleointensity for two achondrites has been determined to be about 0.1 Oe. The NRM of other achondrites also suggests that their paleointensity is roughly 0.1 Oe.

The NRM of ordinary chondrites is less stable than that of C-chondrites and achondrites so that the estimated paleointensity for ordinary chondrites is less reliable. The paleointensity for comparatively reliable ordinary chondrites ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 Oe.

The paleointensity values of 1 Oe for C-chondrites and 0.1 Oe for achondrites may represent the early solar nebula magnetic field about 4.5 × 10⁹ years ago. A possibility that the paleomagnetic field for achondrites was a magnetic field attributable to a dynamo within a metallic core of their parent planet may also not be rejected.     

A classification of meteorites based on oxygen isotopes

On the basis of¹⁸O/¹⁶O and¹⁷O/¹⁶O ratios, meteorites and planets can be grouped into at least six categories, as follows: (1) the terrestrial group, consisting of the earth, moon, differentiated meteorites and enstatite chondrites; (2) types L and LL ordinary chondrites; (3) type H ordinary chondrites; (4) anhydrous minerals of C2, C3, C4 carbonaceous chondrites; (5) hydrous matrix minerals of C2 carbonaceous chondrites; (6) the ureilites. Objects of one category cannot be derived by fractionation or differentiation from the source materials of any other category.     

Boron cosmochemistry

Boron, sulfur, silicon, and sodium abundances have been measured in 50 pieces from 28 chondritic meteorites. Thirty-one of these samples were carefully selected and prepared to avoid composition changes from contamination or alteration in the terrestrial environment. Boron and sodium abundances define two domains within C2M carbonaceous chondrites: one contains8.5 B10⁶ Si and0.044 NaSi and the other25 B10⁶ Si and0.021 Na10⁶ Si. It is proposed that these differences are the result of element redistribution within C2M chondrites in response to low-temperature hydrous processes. Petrologic type 5 and 6 chondrites are also composed of two types of material, one has3.5 B10⁶ Si and the other11 B10⁶ Si. The mass weighted average of the boron concentration in high-petrologic-type ordinary chondrites is indistinguishable from the measured abundances in petrologic type 3 and 4 ordinary chondrites. We suggest that the compositional differences within petrologic types 5 and 6 are the result of high-temperature modifications of materials that had boron abundances like those now observed in the low petrologic types.We assumed that the redistribution of these elements was closed on the scale of the mass of the available meteorites, and determined the abundances in unaltered material by calculating the mass weighted average of the measured abundances in all the samples of one chondrite type. We used these averages to calculate boron depletion factors in chondrite types. The factors areC2 = 0.62, C3 = 0.31, andordinary chondrites= 0.34. These are similar to the sulfur depletion factors in the same types of meteorites. The agreement suggests that boron, like sulfur, had a nebular condensation temperature at the lower end of the range of moderately volatile elements. Within the context of this interpretation, the solar abundance of boron is21 B10⁶ Si—the concentration in the interior piece of the C-1 carbonaceous chondrite Orgueil.     

Chemical features of the Luna 16 regolith sample

The Luna 16 regolith sample differs from Apollo 11, 12 and 14 regolith and basalt samples by having smaller negative Eu and Sr anomalies and nearly chondritic Eu/Sm and Eu/Sr ratios although the overall REE, Ba, Sr and U concentrations are 25 to 45 times chondrites. Major element data, in particular FeO vs. Al₂O₃, show that the Luna 16 regolith sample is composed of materials that follow a quantitatively different Fe/Al variation than do Apollo 11, 12, 14 and 15 samples. The small Eu and Sr anomalies and the displaced Fe/Al variation are two chemical features unique to the Luna 16 regolith sample. The Luna 16 regolith sample can contain little if any of the rock types abundant at Apollo sites, thus indicating that the unique chemical features are typical of local or nearby materials and indicate a separate petrogenetic province for major component rock types of the Luna 16 regolith.     

ALH85085: a unique volatile-poor carbonaceous chondrite with possible implications for nebular fractionation processes

Allan Hills 85085 is a unique chondrite with affinities to the Al Rais-Renazzo clan of carbonaceous chondrites. Its constituents are less than 50 μm in mean size. Chondrules and microchondrules of all textures are present; nonporphyritic chondrules are unusually abundant. The mean compositions of porphyritic, nonporphyritic and barred olivine chondrules resemble those in ordinary chondrites except that they are depleted in volatile elements. Ca-, Al-rich inclusions are abundant and largely free of nebular alteration; they comprise types similar to those in CM and CO chondrites, as well as unique types. Calcium dialuminate occurs in several inclusions. Metal, silicate and sulfide compositions are close to those in CM-CO chondrites and Al Rais and Renazzo. C1-chondrite clasts and metal-rich “reduced” clasts are present, but opaque matrix is absent. Siderophile abundances in ALH85085 are extremely high (e.g., Fe/Si= 1.7 × solar), and volatiles are depleted (e.g., Na/Si= 0.25 × solar, S/Si= 0.03 × solar). Nonvolatile lithophile abundances are similar to those in Al Rais, Renazzo, and CM and CO chondrites.ALH85085 agglomerated when temperatures in the nebula were near 1000 K, in the same region where Renazzo, Al Rais and the CI chondrites formed. Agglomeration of high-temperature material may thus be a mechanism by which the fractionation of refractory lithophiles occurred in the nebula. Chondrule formation must have occurred at high temperatures when clumps of precursors were small. After agglomeration, ALH85085 was annealed and lightly shocked. C1 and other clasts were subsequently incorporated during late-stage brecciation.     

Characteristics in naturally and experimentally shocked chondrites: A clue to P-T conditions of impacted asteroids

The aim of this study is to compare the experimentally shock-induced features with those in naturally shocked chondrites and to test the feasibility of experimentally calibrating naturally induced features in shocked H- and L-chondrites. Samples of the Jilin chondrite (H5) were experimentally shock-loaded at the following peak pressures: 12, 27, 39, 53, 78, 83, 93 and 133 GPa respectively. Chondritic melts were first obtained at P>78 GPa and more than 60% melting was achieved at P~133 GPa. No high-pressure phases were observed in any of the shocked samples, neither in the deformed nor in the molten regions. Textural relations and mineral assemblages of the shocked samples are comparable to those encountered in the heavily shocked H-chondrite Yanzhuang but differ considerably from those found in heavily shocked L6 chondrites. Shock melt veins in L6 chondrites contain high-pressure polymorphs of olivine and pyroxene and high pressure liquidus phases. Scaling from shock experiments on millimeter-sized samples to natural shock features on kilometer-sized asteroids poses considerable problems in quantifying the P-T conditions during natural shock events on asteroids.     

Chemical composition of Archaean komatiites: Implications for early history of the earth and mantle evolution

Estimates of the chemical composition of the Archaean mantle, derived from elemental abundance ratios in komatiites combined with ultramafic xenolith data, support a model of a multistage heterogeneous accretion history of the Earth and synchronous core formation, 4.6 Ga ago.Most refractory lithophile element abundance ratios in komatiites and xenoliths are close to chondritic except for V/Ti and Ca/Al. Depletion of vanadium is likely due to its partial incorporation into the iron core; whereas fractionation of Ca/Al observed in Archaean Al-undepleted komatiites (1.20 times chondrites) and in some modern fertile spinel lherzolite xenoliths (1.15 times chondrites) could be due to small amounts of garnet (rich in Al but poor in Ca) segregation into the lower mantle during partial or complete melting of the upper mantle in the very early history of the Earth. However, this process may have had only a small effect on the overall chemical composition of the upper mantle.Simultaneous occurrence of early Archaean Al-undepleted (Al/Ti chondrites) and Al-depleted (Al/Ti 0.5 chondrites, and depletion of Sc and heavy REE) peridotitic komatiites in the Barberton area, S. Africa, and late Archaean Newton Township, Canada, argue against derivation of peridotitic komatiites from a circum-global magma ocean. Garnet separation from a mantle diapir which intersects the solidus at great depth ( 200 km) in a hotter early Archaean mantle could explain the chemical characteristics of Al-depleted komatiites. Alternatively, these two types of komatiites could have been derived from different layers in a fractionated mantle. A limited amount of Hf isotope data for Archaean komatiites seems to suggest that both mechanisms are important. This chemically and minerallogically layered mantle, if it existed, was homogenized by mantle convection after early Archaean times.Constant P₂O₅/TiO₂, Ni/Mg, Co/Mg, Fe/Mg ratios (siderophile/lithophile) and PGE abundances, estimated for the mantle sources of komatiites from Archaean to modern times, strongly argue against continuous growth of the Earth's core since the early Archaean.Extensive crustal contamination might have been involved in the generation of Archaean-early Proterozoic siliceous high magnesian basalts with “boninite affinity”. However, involvement of chemically modified ancient continental lithosphere may also be important in the generation of these basalts.     

Lithium isotope composition of ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites, and differentiated planetary bodies: Bulk solar system and solar reservoirs

In order to better constrain the Li isotope composition of the bulk solar system and Li isotope fractionation during accretion and parent body processes, Li isotope compositions and concentrations were determined on a number of meteorite falls and finds. This is the first comprehensive study that systematically investigates a representative set of samples from carbonaceous chondrites (CI, CM2, CO3, CV3, CK4 and one ungrouped member), enstatite chondrites (EH, EL), ordinary chondrites (H, L, LL), and achondrites (one eucrite, diogenites, one pallasite, and a silicate inclusion from a IAB iron).

Carbonaceous chondrites have an average isotope composition of δ⁷Li = + 3.2‰ ± 1.9 (2σ) which agrees with the average composition of relatively pristine olivines (representative for the bulk composition) from the Earth primitive upper mantle (PUM). This is lighter than the average δ⁷Li of the basaltic differentiates of the Earth, Moon and Mars and the achondrites. It is an important observation, however, that the lighter end of the isotopic range of the differentiates always coincides with the averages of the mantle olivines and the carbonaceous chondrites. From this we conclude that the bulk of the inner solar system consists mostly of material from carbonaceous chondrites and that the variation seen in the differentiates is due to planetary body processes. Ordinary chondrites are significantly lighter than carbonaceous chondrites. No significant differences in δ⁷Li exist between enstatite chondrites (n = 3) and carbonaceous or ordinary chondrites. The difference between carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites and the variability within the chondrites could indicate the existence of distinct Li isotope reservoirs in the early solar nebula.     

The cosmic abundance of molybdenum

Fifteen carbonaceous chondrites were analysed for Mo and Ir by neutron activation analysis combined with a metal extraction method. The results of two Orgueil analyses gave a mean concentration of 915 ppb Mo. This corresponds to 2.51 atoms Mo/10⁶ atoms Si, which is 50% lower than data reported by Case et al. [3]. The lower Mo concentration for Orgueil was predicted by Suess and Zeh [4] from semi-empirical abundance rules. A constant Mo/Ir ratio is found for C1, C2, and C3V chondrites; C3Os have variable Mo/Ir ratios. These variations are due to variable Ir concentrations. Micron-sized grains enriched in Ir but not in Mo are presumably responsible for these variations. The Mo content of Karoonda is nearly a factor of four lower than that of C3V chondrites.     

Petrogenesis of complex veins in the Chantonnay (L6f) chondrite

Two cross-cutting veins in the Chantonnay (L6f) chondrite illustrate different patterns of fractionation of total chondritic shock melts. The earlier vein, which is dark-colored and bears abundant host rock xenoliths, is strongly reduced and sodium-poor relative to the bulk meteorite. It resembles and may be cogenetic with melt pockets in Chantonnay. The later vein, which is lighter-colored and somewhat vesicular, lacks evidence of either Na loss or reduction but shows modest internal differentiation. Its metal and total iron contents (26.5 wt.%) are higher than normal for L-group chondrites.The trend of chemical fractionation recorded in the earlier Chantonnay vein resembles that reported for chondrules in ordinary chondrites, suggesting that chemical variations among chondrules in part reflect variations among their parental shock melts.     

Melting temperatures of the Allende meteorite: implications for a Hadean magma ocean

Melting temperatures of the silicate fraction of the Allende CV3 meteorite, at upper mantle pressures, are several hundred degrees lower than that of fertile peridotite xenoliths or ‘pyrolite’. If the Earth accreted from material similar to chondrites, then deep mantle melting could have occurred with a relatively modest heat budget. It is concluded that initial chemical composition is an important variable in realistic magma ocean models.     

The compositions of incipient shock melts in L6 chondrites

Microprobe analyses of 33 melt pocket glasses in five L6d and L6e chondrites show them to be chemically varied but typically enriched in the constituents of plagioclase relative to the host meteorites. This enrichment appears to increase with the degree of melting (0–6.5 vol.%), but other chemical variations among the glasses (sodium depletion, reduction of ferrous iron) appear to be unrelated to shock intensity and melt abundance.Chemical trends for melt pocket glasses differ sharply from those reported for chondrules in ordinary chondrites. Thus partial shock melting of chondritic material is an inadequate explanation for the chemical properties of chondrules.     

A new type of chondritic meteorite found in lunar soil

A fragment found in soil from the Apollo 12 site (12037, from the rim of Bench Crater) appears to be a unique type of chondrite, petrologically and chemically distinct from other chondrites and lunar rocks. Inclusions consisting of shocked pyroxene rimmed by euhedral troilite crystals are set in a black aphanitic matrix. Abundant magnetite in the matrix exhibits microscopic morphologies (framboids and plaquets) characteristic of C1 chondrites. The bulk composition of this sample has high Mg/Si and low Fe/Si relative to other chondrites, and P and S are strongly enriched. Most compositional differences between this meteorite and other chondrites may be explained by fractionation of Fe phases, such as magnetite and troilite. Low refractory element contents preclude mixing with lunar materials. This sample may be a surviving fragment of the meteoritic component present in the lunar regolith. Its characteristics suggest that ancient meteoritic debris sampled by the moon may be significantly different from that captured by the present-day earth.     

Nitrogen abundances and isotopic compositions in stony meteorites

Nitrogen contents range from a few parts per million in ordinary chondrites and achondrites to several hundred parts per million in enstatite chondrites and carbonaceous chondrites. Four major isotopic groups are recognized: (1) C1 and C2 carbonaceous chondrites have δ¹⁵N of+30to+50%.; (2) enstatite chondrites have δ¹⁵N of?30to?40‰; (3) C3 chondrites have low δ¹⁵N with large internal variations; (4) ordinary chondrites have δ¹⁵N of?10to+20‰. The major variations are primary, representing isotopic abundances established at the time of condensation and accretion. Secondary processes, such as spallation reactions, solar wind implantation and metamorphic loss may cause small but observable isotopic variations in particular cases. The large isotopic difference between enstatite chondrites and carbonaceous chondrites cannot be accounted for by equilibrium condensation from a homogeneous nebular gas, and requires either unusually large kinetic effects, or a temporal or spatial variation of isotopic composition of the nebula. Nitrogen isotopic heterogeneity in the nebula due to nuclear processes has not been firmly established, but may be required to account for the large variations found within the Allende and Leoville meteorites. The unique carbonaceous chondrite, Renazzo, has δ¹⁵N of+170%., which is well beyond the range of all other data, and also requires a special source. It is not yet possible, from the meteoritic data, to establish the mode of accretion of nitrogen onto the primitive Earth.     

Stability relation of (Mg,Fe)SiO3 garnets, major constituents in the Earth's interior

High-pressure and high temperature experiments at 20 GPa on (Mg,Fe)SiO₃ have revealed stability fields of two types of aluminium-free ferromagnesian garnets; non-cubic garnet and cubic garnet (majorite). Majorite garnet is stable only within a limited compositional variation, 0.2 < Fe/(Mg + Fe)< 0.4, and in the narrow temperature interval of 200°C around 2000°C, while the stability of non-cubic garnet with more iron-deficient compositions persists up to higher temperatures. These two garnets show fractional melting into iron-deficient garnet and iron-rich liquid, and the crystallization field of cubic garnet extends over Fe/(Mg + Fe)= 0.5. The assemblage silicate spinel and stishovite is a low-temperature phase, which also occurs in the iron-rich portion of the MgSiO₃—FeSiO₃ system. The sequence as given by the Fe/(Mg + Fe) value for the coexisting phases with the two garnets at 2000°C and 20 GPa is: silicate modified spinel aluminium-free garnets silicate spinel.Natural majorite in shock-metamorphosed chondrites is clarified to be produced at pressures above 20 GPa and temperatures around 2000°C. Similar shock events may cause the occurrence of non-cubic garnet in iron-deficient meteorites. Non-cubic garnet could be a stable phase in the Earth's mantle if a sufficiently low concentration of aluminium is present in the layer corresponding to the stable pressure range of non-cubic garnet. The chemical differentiation by melting in the deep mantle is also discussed on the basis of the present experimental results and the observed coexistence of majorite garnet with magnesiowüstite in chondrites.     

The type three ordinary chondrities: A review

The ordinary chondrites are the largest group of meteorites, and the type 3 ordinary chondrites are those which experienced only very mild parent metamorphism; their study provides a unique means of studying the first solid material to from in the early solar system which is either free from the effects of mild metamorphism, or in which the effects of mild metamorphism can be distinguished from primary, nebular effects. In this paper we list all known type 3 ordinary chondrites and references to their study, their compositional data and data relating to the metamorphic history. We review current theories on their formation and the effects of metamorphism, with emphasis on quantitative considerations. Studies on the thermoluminescence properties of these meteorites, which have provided many new insights into their metamorphic history, are reviewed. Some of the least metamorphosed meteorites show evidence for aqueous alteration, which provides a link between the type 3 ordinary chondrites and objects containing water in various forms the carbonaceous chondrites, comets and planets with wet mantles.