THE MINERALOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF THE ALTA'AMEEM METEORITE

The Alta'ameem hypersthene chondrite is a light gray brecciated and metamorphosed meteorite composed mainly of olivine (27% Fa), orthopyroxene (24.5% Fs) and plagioclase (An¹⁰). Other minerals include troilite, kamacite, taenite, chromite, ilmenite, clinopyroxene, chalcopyrite, and apatite or merrillite. The mineralogical and chemical analyses suggest that the Alta'ameem meteorite belongs to the amphoterite group of chondrites. The chemical composition includes the following: Fe 3.39, Ni 1.13, Co 0.05, Cu 0.01, FeS 6.48, SiO₂ 39.48, TiO₂ 0.28, Al₂O₃ 2.25, FeO 16.46, MnO 0.40, MgO 25.66, CaO 1.47, Na₂O 1.05, K₂O 0.15, P₂O₅ 0.47, Cr₂O₃ 0.45; total 99.18.     

MINERALOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF THE KYLE,TEXAS, CHONDRITE

The Kyle, Texas, U.S.A., chondrite was identified in 1965. Electron microprobe analyses and microscopic examination show the following mineralogy: olivine (Fa 26.2 mole %), orthopyroxene (Fs 21.0 mole %), clinopyroxene, plagioclase (An 10.3 mole %), chlorapatite, whitlockite, kamacite, taenite, troilite, chromite, and an iron-bearing terrestrial weathering product. Eutectic intergrowths of metaltroilite and a brecciated matrix indicate that the Kyle chondrite was shocked. Recrystallization and shock have obliterated chondrule-matrix boundaries. A chemical analysis of the meteorite shows the following results (in weight %): Fe 0.38, Ni 1.22, Co 0.05, FeS 5.98, SiO₂ 38.41, TiO₂ 0.11, Al₂O₃ 2.13, Cr₂O₃ 0.55, Fe₂O₃ 8.02, FeO 14.83, MnO 0.31, MgO 23.10, CaO 1.60, Na₂O 0.74, K₂O 0.08, P₂O₅ 0.19, H₂O⁺ 1.73, H₂O^? 0.37, C 0.03, Sum 99.83. On the basis of bulk chemistry, composition of olivine and orthopyroxene, and the recrystallized matrix, the Kyle meteorite is classified as an L6 chondrite.     

THE CHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY OF THE HOMEWOOD,MANITOBA, METEORITE

The Homewood meteorite is a slightly weathered find of 325 grams discovered in 1970 about 64 km southwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It consists of olivine (Fa_25.4; 43.8 normative wt. percent), orthopyroxene (Fs_23.3; 28.5 percent), kamacite and taenite (7.5 percent), troilite (5.6 percent), maskelynite (8.3 percent), chromite (1.0 percent), whitlockite (0.7 percent) and minor patchy Ca pyroxene. Bulk chemical analysis yielded Fe_total 21.60 wt. percent, Fe/SiO₂0.55, SiO₂/MgO 1.53 and Fe^O/Fe_total 0.29. Barred olivine, radiating pyroxene and porphyritic chondrules, all with ill-defined outlines, occur in the meteorite. Most chemical and mineralogical features characterize the Homewood meteorite as an L6 (hypersthene) chondrite. The presence of maskelynite, the undulatory extinction, extensive fracturing and pervasive mosaicism of olivine, and the poor definition of chondrule outlines suggest that the Homewood meteorite has been shocked in the range of 300–350 kbar.     

THE ORO GRANDE,NEW MEXICO,CHONDRITE AND ITS LITHIC INCLUSION

The Oro Grande, New Mexico, U.S.A., chondrite was found in 1971. Electron microprobe analyses and microscopic examination show the following mineralogy: olivine (Fa 19.3 mole percent), orthopyroxene (Fs 16.2 mole percent), diopside, feldspar (An 13.6 mole percent), chlorapatite, whitlockite, kamacite, taenite, troilite, chromite, and an iron-bearing terrestrial weathering product. A bulk chemical analysis of the meteorite shows the following results (weight percent): Fe 0.84, Ni 1.46, Co 0.07, FeS 3.62, SiO₂ 34.18, TiO₂ 0.14, Al₂O₃ 1.83, Cr₂O₃ 0.55, Fe₂O₃ 21.25, FeO 9.13, MnO 0.31, MgO 21.52, CaO 1.72, Na₂O 0.70, K₂O 0.08, P₂O₅ 0.25, H₂O+ 2.14, H₂O^- 0.40, C 0.22, Sum 100.41. On the basis of composition and texture, the Oro Grande meteorite is classified as an H5 chondrite. A large lithic fragment (～5 mm long) with a very fine-grained texture different from that of the host meteorite was analyzed for bulk composition using the broad beam of an electron microprobe, and was found to be enriched in Ca, Al, Na, and K, and depleted in Mg and Fe relative to the bulk composition of the host meteorite. Its mineral compositions, however, are very similar to those of the host. It is suggested that the fragment is not a xenolith of a previously undescribed type of achondrite, but is probably an impact-produced partial melt of the host chondrite or a fragment of an unusually large chondrule.     

Complexly zoned chromium‐aluminum spinel found in situ in the Allende meteorite

Abstract— In addition to the Mg‐, Al‐, ¹⁶O‐rich spinels that are known to occur in refractory inclusions, the Murchison meteorite contains Cr‐rich, ¹⁶O‐poor spinels, most of whose sources are unknown because they are rarely found in situ. Here we report the in situ occurrence in Allende of Cr‐rich spinels, found in 13 chondrules and 4 “olivine‐rich objects”. The Allende spinels exhibit major and minor element contents, isotopic compositions, and zoning of Cr₂O₃ contents like those of the Cr‐spinels from Murchison. Some chondrules contain patchy‐zoned spinel (Simon et al., 1994), which suggests that such grains did not form by sintering but perhaps by formation of overgrowths on relic grains. Unlike the olivine‐rich objects, phases in all three chondrules that were analyzed by ion microprobe have uniform, near‐normal O‐isotopic compositions. One olivine‐rich object, ALSP1, has a huge (1 mm) fragment of chevron‐zoned spinel. This spinel has near‐normal O‐isotopic compositions that are quite distinct from those of adjacent forsteritic olivine, which are relatively ¹⁶O‐rich and plot on the calcium‐aluminum‐inclusion (CAI) line, like some isolated forsterite grains found in Allende. The spinel and olivine in this object are therefore not genetically related to each other. Another olivine‐rich object, ALSP11A, contains a rectangular, 150 ×s 100 μm, homogeneous spinel grain with 50 wt% Cr₂O₃ and 23 wt% FeO in a vuggy aggregate of finer‐grained (5–90 μm), FeO‐rich (Fo_47–55) olivine. The magnesian core of one olivine grain has a somewhat ¹⁶O‐rich isotopic composition like that of the large spinel, whereas the FeO‐rich olivine is relatively ¹⁶O‐poor. The composition of the spinel in ALSP11A plots on the CAI line, the first Cr‐rich spinel found to do so. Chevron‐zoned spinel has not been observed in chondrules, and it is unlikely that either ALSP1 or ALSP11A were ever molten. Calculations show that a spinel with the composition of that in ALSP1 can condense at 1780 K at a P^tot of 10^?3 atm and a dust/gas ratio of 100 relative to solar. The Cr‐rich spinel in ALSP11A could condense at ～1420 K, but this would require a dust/gas enrichment of 1000 relative to solar. The data presented here confirm that, as in Murchison, the coarse Cr‐rich spinels in Allende are relatively ¹⁶O‐depleted and are isotopically distinct from the ¹⁶O‐enriched MgAl₂O₄ from CAIs. Sample ALSP11A may represent a third population, one that is Cr‐rich and plots on the CAI line. That the O‐isotopic composition of ALSP1 is like those of Cr‐rich spinels from chondrules indicates that O‐isotopic compositions cannot be used to distinguish whether grains from such unequilibrated objects are condensates or are fragments from a previous generation of chondrules.     

Multi-zone fusion crust formation and classification of the 2004 Auckland meteorite (L6, S5, and W0)

On June 12, 2004, a meteorite passed through Earth's atmosphere and landed under the television in the living room of a house in Auckland, New Zealand. Textural characteristics, the chemistry of olivine (Fa_23–24) and orthopyroxene (Fs_20.7), and the bulk rock triple oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁷O + 3.1; δ¹⁸O + 4.2‰) from the interior of the completely unweathered (W0) 1.3 kg meteorite, hereafter referred to as Auckland, suggest it to be a strongly metamorphosed fragment from the interior of a low iron ordinary chondrite (L6) parent asteroid. The occurrence of maskelynite but shock fracturing of olivine and pyroxene indicates Auckland experienced extreme shock metamorphism (S5), likely during Ordovician fragmentation of the asteroid parent. The fusion crust consists of three zones: (1) an innermost zone containing narrow Fe-Ni-S-bearing veins that migrated along pre-existing shock fractures in olivine and pyroxene; (2) a middle zone in which the meteorite partially melted to form a silicate glass and immiscible blebs of metal and troilite, and is accompanied by unmelted silicate minerals; and (3) an approximately 0.1 mm wide vesicular-rich outermost layer that largely melted, volatilizing sulfides, before quenching to form glass and olivine. Oxygen isotope values of the bulk rock and/or maskelynite of melted rim and modified substrate are 2–3‰ greater than the meteorite interior and indicate that up to 19% of terrestrial atmospheric O₂ was incorporated into the fusion crust during the formation. The fusion crust migrated inwards as ablation occurred, enabling melting, migration, and re-precipitation ± loss of sulfide and metal components, with the prominent glassy rim therefore forming from an already chemically modified zone.     

Valence of Ti,V, and Cr in Apollo 14 aluminous basalts 14053 and 14072

The valences of Ti, V, and Cr in olivine and pyroxene, important indicators of the fO₂ of the source region of their host rocks, can be readily measured nondestructively by XANES (X‐ray absorption near edge structure) spectroscopy, but little such work has been done on lunar rocks, and there is some uncertainty regarding the presence of Ti³⁺ in lunar silicates and the redox state of the lunar mantle. This is the first study involving direct XANES measurement of valences of multivalent cations in lunar rocks. Because high alumina activity facilitates substitution of Ti cations into octahedral rather than tetrahedral sites in pyroxene and Ti³⁺ only enters octahedral sites, two aluminous basalts from Apollo 14, 14053 and 14072, were studied. Most pyroxene contains little or no detectable Ti³⁺, but in both samples relatively early, magnesian pyroxene was found that has Ti valences that are not within error of 4; in 14053, this component has an average Ti valence of 3.81 ± 0.06 (i.e., Ti³⁺/[Ti³⁺ + Ti⁴⁺ = 0.19]). This pyroxene has relatively low atomic Ti/Al ratios (<0.4) due to crystallization before plagioclase, contrary to the long‐held belief that lunar pyroxene with Ti/Al > 0.5 contains Ti³⁺ and pyroxene with lower ratios does not. Later pyroxene, with lower Mg/Fe and higher Ti/Al ratios, has higher proportions of Ti (all Ti⁴⁺) in tetrahedral sites. All pyroxene analyzed contains divalent Cr, ranging from 15 to 30% of the Cr present, and all but one analysis spot contains divalent V, accounting for 0 to 40% (typically 20–30%) of the V present. Three analyses of olivine in 14053 do not show any Ti³⁺, but Ti valences in 14072 olivine range from 4 down to 3.70 ± 0.10. In 14053 olivine, ~50% of the Cr and 60% of the V are divalent. In 14072 olivine, the divalent percentages are ~20% for Cr and 20–60% for V. These results indicate significant proportions of divalent Cr and V and limited amounts of trivalent Ti in the parental melts, especially when crystal/liquid partitioning preferences are taken into account. These features are consistent with an fO₂ closer to IW ? 2 than to IW ? 1. Apollo 15 basalt 15555, analyzed for comparison with A‐14 materials, has olivine with strongly reduced Cr (Cr²⁺/(Cr²⁺ + Cr³⁺) ~0.9). Basalts from different sites may record redox differences between source regions.     

Mineral and chemical composition of the Jezersko meteorite—A new chondrite from Slovenia

The Jezersko meteorite is a newly confirmed stony meteorite found in 1992 in the Karavanke mountains, Slovenia. The meteorite is moderately weathered (W2), indicating short terrestrial residence time. Chondrules in partially recrystallized matrix are clearly discernible but often fragmented and have mean diameter of 0.73 mm. The meteorite consists of homogeneous olivine (Fa_19.4) and low‐Ca pyroxenes (Fs_16.7Wo_1.2), of which 34% are monoclinic, and minor plagioclase (Ab₈₃An₁₁Or₆) and Ca‐pyroxene (Fs₆Wo_45.8). Troilite, kamacite, zoned taenite, tetrataenite, chromite, and metallic copper comprise about 16.5 vol% of the meteorite. Phosphates are represented by merrillite and minor chlorapatite. Undulatory extinction in some olivine grains and other shock indicators suggests weak shock metamorphism between stages S2 and S3. The bulk chemical composition generally corresponds to the mean H chondrite composition. Low siderophile element contents indicate the oxidized character of the Jezersko parent body. The temperatures recorded by two‐pyroxene, olivine‐chromite, and olivine‐orthopyroxene geothermometers are 854 °C, 737–787 °C, and 750 °C, respectively. Mg concentration profiles across orthopyroxenes and clinopyroxenes indicate relatively fast cooling at temperatures above 700 °C. A low cooling rate of 10 °C Myr^?1 was obtained from metallographic data. Considering physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties, meteorite Jezersko was classified as an H4 S2(3) ordinary chondrite.     

ACHONDRITE ALHA77005: ALTERATION OF CHROMITE AND OLIVINE

The olivine crystals of the 77005 achondrite are brown except for colorless shock lamellae, mottled patches, and grains adjacent to pools of impact melt. Sporadic dark alteration patches in brown olivine and Cr-rich spinel gave the following average electron-microprobe analyses: (olivine) P₂O₅ 0.9, SiO₂ 57.9, TiO₂ 0, Al₂O₃ 0.7, Cr₂O₃ 0.4, V₂O₃ 0, Fe₂O₃ (assumed oxidation state) 17.0, MgO 1.6, CaO 0.2, Na₂O 0, K₂O 1.8, SO₃ (assumed oxidation state) 9.2, Cl 0.1, sum 89.8 wt. %; (spinel) P₂O₅3.5, SiO₂2.1, TiO₂.2.2, Al₂O₃2.1, Cr₂O₃ 13.4, V₂O₃ 0.8, Fe₂O₃ 40.7, MgO 0.9, CaO 0.1, Na₂O 0, K₂O 2.0, SO₃ 11.1, Cl 0.1, sum 79.0 wt.%. Ion-microprobe analyses revealed H in both. Rare orange patches in brown olivine from another area gave SiO₂ 33–35, FeO 30-28, MgO 28–32, sum 93 wt. %. Thermal metamorphism under dry oxidizing conditions is discussed as a possible alternative to shock-induced oxidation for generation of the brown olivine (McSween and Stöffler). Because alteration patches transgress shock lamellae, and because sulfatic alteration occurs in fusion crusts of Antarctic meteorites (Gibson et al., 1983), alteration of the 77005 achondrite at the Antarctic surface is preferred to a complex series of processes needed for pre-terrestrial alteration.     

PIANCALDOLI METEORITE: CHEMISTRY,MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY

The fall occurred near Piancaldoli, Florence, Italy, at 19.14 U.T. on the 10th August 1968. The fireball broke up in the atmosphere producing a cloud like a balloon. The trajectory and the terminal point were calculated, leading to the recovery of three small meteoritic fragments, found on the roof of a house. Chemical analysis gave the following results: SiO₂ 40.80; TiO₂ 0.15; Al₂O₃ 2. 70; Cr₂O₃ 0.47; FeO 17.20; MnO 0.07; MgO 25.18; CaO 1.95; Na₂O 0.64; K₂O 0.07; P₂O₅ 0.20; NiS 0.93; FeS 6.24; Fe° 2.40; Ni° 0.40; Co 0.05; sum 99.45. In the lithic portion of the meteorite the following minerals were found: both clino and orthopyroxenes (En = 76 to 98%), olivines (Fo = 66 to 98%), troilite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, kamacite, ilmenite, apatite, merillite, schreibersite, chromite and Henderson phase. From all the mineralogical and petrological data, we conclude that the Piancaldoli meteorite is an “unequilibrated ordinary chondrite,” LL3. The microbrecciated structure of the rock and some shock features were observed, while the rock as a whole is unshocked, suggesting that these features were caused by impact events which took place during the accretion of the parent body.     

USTÍ NAD ORLICI: A NEW L6 CHONDRITE FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Ustí nad Orlici (Kerhartice), a meteorite which fell on June 12, 1963 in Czechoslovakia, is classified as a L6 chondrite. Compositions of olivine (Fa 23.4), orthopyroxene (Fs 20, Wo 1.3), plagioclase (Ab₈₅An₁₀Or₅) along with the bulk composition of the meteorite support this classification. Chromite compositions vary with grain size. Large chromites are higher in TiO₂ and lower in Fe³ than small chromites. This may indicate that either these two chromites formed initially under different fO₂ conditions, or that this difference resulted from different equilibration behaviors of both chromites as a function of grain size. The meteorite contains three distinct sulfide assemblages: 1) troilite-pentlandite, 2) troilite, pentlandite-cubanite-chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite-mackinawite, 3) troilite-tetrataenite-(Fe, Cu, Ni)_{1***. 02}S. These assemblages indicate equilibration down to temperatures close to 200 °C.     

THE NARAGH METEORITE: A NEW OLIVINE-BRONZITE CHONDRITE FALL

At 9:20 A.M. on August 18, 1974, a stony meteorite of approximately 3200 grams struck the roof of a secondary school at Naragh, Central Iran, (51°30′E, 33°45′N). The ellipsoidal dark-gray meteorite was 17 × 15 × 13 cm (density 3.62 gr/cm³). XRF and wet chemical analysis yields the bulk composition of the meteorite as follows in weight percent: Fe 11.95, Ni 1.05, Co 0.07, FeS 5.49, SiO₂ 37.15, TiO₂ 0.15, Al₂O₃ 2.43, Cr₂O₃0.62, FeO 14.25, MnO 0.23, MgO 23.79, CaO 1.61, Na₂O 0.92, K₂O 0.08, P₂O₅ 0.26. Modal mineral contents (in volume percent) are olivine 40, orthopyroxene 25, clinopyroxene 3, plagioclase 10.5, chromite 0.80, phosphate 0.70, troilite 6, metal phases 14. The meteorite is fine-grained, with average grain size about 0.4–0.6 mm and contains numerous recrystallized glassy chondrules. Olivine occurs as laths and radiating crystals in chondrules and as coarse-grained phenocrysts and interstitial microcrystalline grains in the matrix. These olivines have relatively uniform composition (Fo_80–82Fa_20–18). Fine-grained skeletal orthopyroxenes of average composition (En₁₆Fs₈₂Wo₀₁) are inter-grown with olivine in both chondrules and matrix. Clinopyroxene and plagioclase of average composition (En_6.5Fs₄₈Wo_45.5) and (Ab₈₂An₁₂Or₀₆) respectively, are evenly distributed in the matrix, together with kamacite (Fe_92–95), plessite (Fe_69.6–82.2) and taenite (Fe_46.7–66.1), troilite (Ni-free) and chromite grains. The high ratios of total Fe to SiO₂ of 0.71, metallic Fe to total Fe of 0.54, and SiO₂ to MgO of 1.56 in the bulk composition, the Fa component of olivine grains of 17.5–19.6, and the high Ca content of orthopyroxenes between 0.53 and 0.87 wt % suggest that the Naragh meteorite belongs to the H-group and petrologic type 6 of Van Schmus and Wood (1967) classification. In addition, the occurrence of fine-grained clear sodic plagioclase, the presence of numerous recrystallized chondrules with homogeneous silicate minerals, and the absence of Ni in the sulfide phase indicate that the Naragh meteorite has been metamorphosed after the initial crystallization in the parental body.     

The mineralogy of the Yaringie Hill meteorite—A new H5 chondrite from South Australia

Abstract— The Yaringie Hill meteorite is a new H5 ordinary chondrite found in the Gawler Ranges, South Australia. The meteorite, which shows only minor signs of terrestrial weathering, is predominantly composed of olivine (Fa_17.2), orthopyroxene (Fs_15.1Wo_1.1), and three distinct phases of nickeliferous iron metal (kamacite, taenite, tetrataenite). Other minerals include troilite, plagioclase (Ab₈₁An₁₆Or₃), clinopyroxene (En₅₂Wo₄₂Fs₆), chlorapatite, merrillite, ilmenite, and native copper. Three types of spinel with distinctive textures (coarse, skeletal aggregates, rounded aggregates) and with compositions close to the join MgAl₂O₄‐FeCr₂O₄ are also present. Chondrules within the Yaringie Hill meteorite, which often have poorly defined boundaries, are placed in a recrystallized matrix. Shock indicators suggest that the meteorite experienced only weak shock metamorphism (S3).     

Petrographic classification of Middle Ordovician fossil meteorites from Sweden

Abstract— The maximum diameter of chromite (FeCr₂O₄) grains within L chondrites reflects the petrographic type of the sample. On the basis of our measurements of nine recent L chondrites, L3 chromite D_max = 34–50 μm, L4 = 87–150 μm, L5 = 76–158 μm, and L6 = 253–638 μm. This variation reflects the crystallization of the chromite grains during parent body thermal metamorphism. We use this calibration to classify six fossil meteorites from the Middle Ordovician in Sweden as type 3 (or 4) to 6. The high flux of L chondrites at 470 Ma contained a range of petrographic types and may have had a higher proportion of lower petrographic type meteorites than are found in recent L chondrite falls. The fossil meteorites have in places preserved recognizable chondrule textures, including porphyritic olivine, barred olivine, and radiating pyroxene. A large relict clast and fusion crust have also been tentatively identified in one fossil meteorite. Apart from chromite, all of the original meteorite minerals have been replaced by carbonate (and sheet silicate and sulfate) during diagenesis within the limestone host. The preservation of chondrule definition has allowed us to measure the mean diameters of relict chondrules. The range (0.4–0.6 mm) is consistent with measurements made in the same way on recent L chondrites.     

Localized shock melting in lherzolitic shergottite Northwest Africa 1950: Comparison with Allan Hills 77005

Abstract— The lherzolitic Martian meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 1950 consists of two distinct zones: 1) low‐Ca pyroxene poikilically enclosing cumulate olivine (Fo_70–75) and chromite, and 2) areas interstitial to the oikocrysts comprised of maskelynite, low‐ and high‐Ca pyroxene, cumulate olivine (Fo_68–71) and chromite. Shock metamorphic effects, most likely associated with ejection from the Martian subsurface by large‐scale impact, include mechanical deformation of host rock olivine and pyroxene, transformation of plagioclase to maskelynite, and localized melting (pockets and veins). These shock effects indicate that NWA 1950 experienced an equilibration shock pressure of 35–45 GPa. Large (millimeter‐size) melt pockets have crystallized magnesian olivine (Fo_78–87) and chromite, embedded in an Fe‐rich, Al‐poor basaltic to picro‐basaltic glass. Within the melt pockets strong thermal gradients (minimum 1 °C/μm) existed at the onset of crystallization, giving rise to a heterogeneous distribution of nucleation sites, resulting in gradational textures of olivine and chromite. Dendritic and skeletal olivine, crystallized in the melt pocket center, has a nucleation density (1.0 × 10³ crystals/mm²) that is two orders of magnitude lower than olivine euhedra near the melt margin (1.6 × 10⁵ crystals/mm²). Based on petrography and minor element abundances, melt pocket formation occurred by in situ melting of host rock constituents by shock, as opposed to melt injected into the lherzolitic target. Despite a common origin, NWA 1950 is shocked to a lesser extent compared to Allan Hills (ALH) 77005 (45–55 GPa). Assuming ejection in a single shock event by spallation, this places NWA 1950 near to ALH 77005, but at a shallower depth within the Martian subsurface. Extensive shock melt networks, the interconnectivity between melt pockets, and the ubiquitous presence of highly vesiculated plagioclase glass in ALH 77005 suggests that this meteorite may be transitional between discreet shock melting and bulk rock melting.     

CLAST-LADEN MELT-ROCK FRAGMENT IN THE ADAMS COUNTY,COLORADO, H5 CHONDRITE

The Adams County, Colorado, H5 chondrite contains a lithic fragment, 1 cm in size, that is texturally and mineralogically quite different from the chondritic host. It is composed of: a groundmass of fine-grained euhedral to subhedral olivine (3–15 μm) and interstitial glass enclosing larger olivine and pyroxene grains (0.15-0.5 mm; about 15 vol %); an assemblage of enstatite grains (subfragment within) and an assemblage of olivine plus orthopyroxene (a second subfragment); and about 11 vol % grains of mixed troilite and nickel-iron metal. Analyses yielded these results: (i) olivine grains of the fragment groundmass have a compositional range (Fa_12–45) and most grains contain substantial CaO and Cr₂O₃ (～ 0.20 and 0.30 avg. wt%, respectively); interstitial glass has ～ 55 wt% SiO₂; (ii) larger olivine grains of the fragment are similarly high in CaO and Cr₂O₃ and also have a wide FeO/MgO range; one unusual pyroxene is an Mg-rich pigeonite; (iii) the metal is martensite in composition (11–14 wt% Ni); and (iv) major and trace element analyses by INAA indicate an H-group bulk composition for the entire 1 cm lithic fragment. On the basis of its texture and bulk and mineral compositions, the fragment is interpreted to represent unequilibrated H-group material that was partly melted by impact. The Ca- and Cr-enriched groundmass olivine and interstitial glass resulted from rapid crystallization of the chondritic melt. The Ca- and Cr-enriched larger silicate grains, including the enstatite sub-fragment and the pigeonite grain, are residual, unmelted clasts from the target material (this is supported by the presence of similar material in actual H3 chondrites). Further impact brecciation of the clast-laden melt material, and resultant impact-splashing accounts for the presence of the fragment in the H-group Adams County host and documents the coexistence of unequilibrated and equilibrated H-group material as surface regolith on one parent body.     

Symplectic exsolution in olivine from the Nakhla martian meteorite

Abstract— The Nakhla meteorite, commonly accepted to have originated from Mars, is a cumulus clinopyroxenite with ～10 vol% of Fe‐rich olivine. Almost all olivine grains in Nakhla contain dark lamellar inclusions (less than 2–3 μm wide). High‐resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the inclusions are complex intergrowths of augite and magnetite. Such a symplectic intergrowth of augite and magnetite in olivine was known in some terrestrial rocks, lunar rocks, and a few meteorites. The inclusion in Nakhla olivine is the first symplectite found in a martian rock. Apparently, the presence of Fe³+ in olivine under an oxidizing condition on Mars caused symplectic exsolution at high temperature (>900 °C) during cooling.     

Itawa Bhopji (L3–5) chondrite regolith breccia: Fall,classification, and cosmogenic records

Abstract— A stony meteorite fell at Itawa Bhopji, Rajasthan, India on 2000 May 30. This is the fifth recorded fall in a small area of Rajasthan during the past decade. The meteorite is an ordinary chondrite with light clasts in a dark matrix, consisting of a mixture of equilibrated (mainly type 5) and unequilibrated components. Olivine is Fa_24–26 and pyroxene Fs_20–22 but, within the unequilibrated components, olivine (Fa_5–29) and low calcium pyroxene (Fs_5–37) are highly variable. Based on petrographic studies and chemical analyses, it is classified as L(3–5) regolith breccia. Studies of various cosmogenic records, including several gamma‐emitting radionuclides varying in half‐life from 5.6 day ⁵²Mn to 0.73 Ma ²⁶Al, tracks and rare gases have been carried out. The exposure age of the meteorite is estimated from cosmogenic components of rare gases to be 19.6 Ma. The track density varies by a factor of ?3 (from 4 to 12 times 10⁶/cm²) within the meteorite, indicating a preatmospheric body of ?9 cm radius (corresponding to a meteoroid mass of ?11 kg) and small ablation (1.5 to 3.6 cm). Trapped components in various rare gases are high and the solar component is present in the dark portion of the meteorite. Large excess of neutron‐produced ⁸²Kr and ¹²⁸Xe in both the light and the dark lithology but very low ⁶⁰Co, indicating low neutron fluxes received by the meteoroid in the interplanetary space, are clear signatures of an additional irradiation on the parent body.     

THE COMPOSITION OF THE JOHNSTOWN METEORITE

A new analysis of the Johnstown meteorite, a hypersthene achondrite, gives the following results (weight percent): SiO₂ 53.48, TiO₂ 0.12, Al₂O₃ 1.43, Cr₂O₃ 0.83, FeO 15.63, MnO 0.54, MgO 25.87, CaO 1.40, Na₂O 0.04, K₂O 0.00, P₂O₅ 0.00, H₂O+ <0.1, H₂O- 0.05, Ni <0.05, Co <0.01, FeS 1.18, sum 100.57. Published and unpublished data on minor and trace elements in the bulk meteorite and in the pyroxene are presented in tabular form.     

THE KRAMER CREEK,COLORADO METEORITE: A NEW L4 CHONDRITE

The Kramer Creek, Colorado, chondrite was found in 1966 and identified as a meteorite in 1972. Bulk chemical analysis, particularly the total iron content (20.36%) and the ratio of Fe_total/SiO₂ (0.52), as well as the compositions of olivine (Fa_21.7) and orthopyroxene (Fs_18.3) place the meteorite into the L-group of chondrites. The well-defined chondritic texture of the meteorite, the presence of igneous glass in the chondrules and of low-Ca clinopyroxene, as well as the slight variations in FeO contents of olivine (2.4% MD) and orthopyroxene (5.6% MD) indicate that the chondrite belongs to the type 4 petrologic class.