Petrogenesis of anomalous Queen Alexandra Range enstatite meteorites and their relation to enstatite chondrites,primitive enstatite achondrites,and aubrites

Queen Alexandra Range (QUE) meteorite 94204 is an anomalous enstatite meteorite whose petrogenesis has been ascribed to either partial melting or impact melting. We studied the meteorite pairs QUE 94204, 97289/97348, 99059/99122/99157/99158/99387, and Yamato (Y)‐793225; these were previously suggested to represent a new grouplet. We present new data for mineral abundances, mineral chemistries, and siderophile trace element compositions (of Fe,Ni metal) in these meteorites. We find that the texture and composition of Y‐793225 are related to EL6, and that this meteorite is unrelated to the QUEs. The mineralogy and siderophile element compositions of the QUEs are consistent with petrogenesis from an enstatite chondrite precursor. We caution that potential re‐equilibration during melting and recrystallization of enstatite chondrite melt‐rocks make it unreliable to use mineral chemistries to assign a specific parent body affinity (i.e., EH or EL). The QUEs have similar mineral chemistries among themselves, while slight variations in texture and modal abundances exist between them. They are dominated by inclusion‐bearing millimeter‐sized enstatite (average En_99.1–99.5) with interstitial spaces filled predominantly by oligoclase feldspar (sometimes zoned), kamacite (Si approximately 2.4 wt%), troilite (≤2.4 wt% Ti), and cristobalite. Siderophile elements that partition compatibly between solid metal and liquid metal are not enriched like in partial melt residues Itqiy and Northwest Africa (NWA) 2526. We find that the modal compositions of the QUEs are broadly unfractionated with respect to enstatite chondrites. We conclude that a petrogenesis by impact melting, not partial melting, is most consistent with our observations.     

Enstatite meteorites and their parent bodies*

Abstract— Enstatite meteorites are highly reduced rocks that consist of major, nearly FeO-free enstatite, variable amounts of metallic Fe, Ni and troilite, and a host of rare minerals formed under highly-reducing conditions. They are comprised of the EH and EL chondrites and the aubrites. Here I discuss some of their properties and the nature and number of their parent bodies. Conclusions: 1. EH and EL chondrites show bulk compositional differences in non-volatile major elements that were established by nebular, not planetary processes. Occurrence of abundant breccias among them but lack of clasts of EL in EH chondrites (and vice versa) suggests that EH and EL chondrites represent two separate parent bodies. 2. Aubrites were not derived from known enstatite chondrites on the same parent bodies. Aubrites represent samples from a third enstatite meteorite parent body. 3. The aubrite parent body may have experienced collisional break-up and gravitational reassembly of the debris into a rubble-pile object. 4. The aubrite source material (parent body) was probably enstatite chondrite-like in composition, but had a higher troilite/metallic Fe, Ni ratio, higher contents of titanium and diopside, and possibly less plagioclase than known enstatite chondrites. 5. Shallowater, the only non-brecciated aubrite, does not appear to have formed on the EH, EL, or aubrite parent bodies by either internal (igneous) or external (impact) melting processes. Instead, Shallowater may be a sample from yet a fourth enstatite meteorite parent body. 6. Shallowater experienced a complex three-stage cooling history, requiring an equally complex mode of origin: collisional break-up of a molten or partly molten body by impact with a solid body, followed by gravitational reassembly. 7. It is unknown why some enstatite meteorite parent bodies melted (the aubrite and Shallowater bodies), and others did not (the EH and EL bodies). If unipolar dynamo induction by a primordial T Tauri sun was the dominant heat source that heated asteroidal-sized bodies in the early Solar System, then the aubrite and Shallowater parent bodies may have melted because they were of intermediate sizes, whereas the EH and EL bodies did not melt because they were either much smaller or much larger.     

Thermal history of the enstatite chondrites from silica polymorphs

Abstract— Here we report the results of our petrologic and mineralogical study of enstatite (E) chondrites in order to explore their thermal histories. We studied silica phases in 20 E chondrites by laser micro Raman spectroscopy to determine the silica polymorphs they contain. Silica phases are commonly present in E chondrites and their polymorphs reflect the physical conditions of formation. The samples studied here include EH3–5, EL3–6, E chondrite melt rocks, and an anomalous E chondrite. We identified quartz, tridymite, cristobalite, and silica glass in the samples studied. EH4–5 and EH melt rocks are divided into high and low temperature classes based on niningerite‐alabandite solid solutions. EH3, EL3, and some EH melt rocks of the high temperature class contain tridymite and cristobalite. We suggest that tridymite and cristobalite crystallized in chondrules and E chondrite melts, followed by rapid cooling, leading to the survival of these silica polymorphs. EH4 and EL4 chondrites also contain tridymite and cristobalite in their chondrules, indicating that these silica polymorphs survived low temperature metamorphism (as estimated from opaque mineral geothermometers) because of the sluggishness of the transition to a more stable polymorph. Tridymite and cristobalite in EL6 chondrites reflect the high temperature processes experienced by these meteorites. On the other hand, some EH5 chondrites and EH melt rocks of the low temperature class contain quartz, which may be a product of the transition from tridymite or cristobalite during a long period of low temperature metamorphism. Although the thermal history of E chondrites have been previously estimated from opaque minerals, such compositions mainly reflect low temperature processes. However, we can reconstruct the primordial thermal processes and subsequent cooling histories of E chondrites from their silica polymorphs. The E chondrites have complicated thermal histories, which produced the observed variations among them.     

Pyroxene structures,cathodoluminescence and the thermal history of the enstatite chondrites

Abstract— In order to explore the thermal history of enstatite chondrites, we examined the cathodoluminescence (CL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of 15 EH chondrites and 21 EL chondrites, including all available petrographic types, both textural types 3–6 and mineralogical types α–δ. The CL properties of EL3α and EH3α chondrites are similar. Enstatite grains high in Mn and other transition metals display red CL, while enstatite with low concentrations of these elements show blue CL. A few enstatite grains with >5 wt% FeO display no CL. In contrast, the luminescent properties of the metamorphosed EH chondrites are very different from those of metamorphosed EL chondrites. While the enstatites in metamorphosed EH chondrites display predominantly blue CL, the enstatites in metamorphosed EL chondrites display a distinctive magenta CL with blue and red peaks of approximately equal intensity in their spectra. The TL sensitivities of the enstatite chondrites correlate with the intensity of the blue CL and, unlike other meteorite classes, are not simply related to metamorphism. The different luminescent properties of metamorphosed EH and EL chondrites cannot readily be attributed to compositional differences. But x-ray diffraction data suggests that the enstatite in EH5γ,δ chondrites is predominantly disordered orthopyroxene, while enstatite in EL6β chondrites is predominantly ordered orthopyroxene. The difference in thermal history of metamorphosed EL and EH chondrites is so marked that the use of single “petrographic” types is misleading, and separate textural and mineralogical types are preferable. Our data confirm earlier suggestions that metamorphosed EH chondrites underwent relatively rapid cooling, and the metamorphosed EL chondrites cooled more slowly and experienced prolonged heating in the orthopyroxene field.     

The oxygen‐isotopic record in enstatite meteorites

Abstract— Oxygen‐isotopic compositions were determined for a suite of enstatite chondrites and aubrites. In agreement with previous work (Clayton et al., 1984), most samples have O‐isotopic compositions close to the terrestrial fractionation line (TFL), and there appear to be no significant differences in O‐isotopic compositions between individual EH and EL chondrites and aubrites. Five enstatite meteorites have O‐isotopic compositions that are significantly different from the other samples and >0.2% away from the TFL. Two of these have petrographic evidence of brecciation and interaction between other meteorite types; for the other three, similar scenarios are suggested. There appears to be a systematic increase in δ¹⁸O from enstatite chondrites (both EH and EL) of petrologic type 3 to those of type 6. There is also good evidence that the EH meteorites do not fall along a mass fractionation line but along a line slope 0.66. At the present time, detailed understanding of the origin of these O‐isotopic systematics remain elusive but clearly point to a complex accretion history, parent‐body evolution, or both.     

Itqiy: A metal‐rich enstatite meteorite with achondritic texture

Abstract— Itqiy is a unique coarse‐grained, metal‐rich enstatite meteorite that was found in the Western Sahara and consists of two rocks together weighing 4.72 kg, which are both completely coated with fusion crust. We report results from our electron microprobe and instrumental neutron activation analysis techniques. Itqiy consists of subhedral, equigranular, millimeter‐sized enstatite, ?25 vol% of millimeter‐sized kamacite and a few tiny intergrowths of sulfides and kamacite. Relic chondrules are absent. Pyroxene (Fs_0.2) is chemically similar to enstatite in EL chondrites, but the metal is closer in composition to that in EH chondrites. Sulfides resemble those in E chondrites but their compositions are distinct from those in both EL and EH chondrites. Itqiy clearly formed under very reducing conditions, but it does not appear to have formed from EH or EL chondrites. Two thermal events can be distinguished. Silicate compositions including rare earth element abundances indicate loss of partial melt and slow cooling. Heterogeneous sulfides indicate a subsequent reheating and quenching event, which may have been due to shock as many enstatite grains show shock stage S3 features.     

Ar‐Ar ages and thermal histories of enstatite meteorites

Abstract– Compared with ordinary chondrites, there is a relative paucity of chronological and other data to define the early thermal histories of enstatite parent bodies. In this study, we report ³⁹Ar‐⁴⁰Ar dating results for five EL chondrites: Khairpur, Pillistfer, Hvittis, Blithfield, and Forrest; five EH chondrites: Parsa, Saint Marks, Indarch, Bethune, and Reckling Peak 80259; three igneous‐textured enstatite meteorites that represent impact melts on enstatite chondrite parent bodies: Zaklodzie, Queen Alexandra Range 97348, and Queen Alexandra Range 97289; and three aubrites, Norton County, Bishopville, and Cumberland Falls Several Ar‐Ar age spectra show unusual ³⁹Ar recoil effects, possibly the result of some of the K residing in unusual sulfide minerals, such as djerfisherite and rodderite, and other age spectra show ⁴⁰Ar diffusion loss. Few additional Ar‐Ar ages for enstatite meteorites are available in the literature. When all available Ar‐Ar data on enstatite meteorites are considered, preferred ages of nine chondrites and one aubrite show a range of 4.50–4.54 Ga, whereas five other meteorites show only lower age limits over 4.35–4.46 Ga. Ar‐Ar ages of several enstatite chondrites are as old or older as the oldest Ar‐Ar ages of ordinary chondrites, which suggests that enstatite chondrites may have derived from somewhat smaller parent bodies, or were metamorphosed to lower temperatures compared to other chondrite types. Many enstatite meteorites are brecciated and/or shocked, and some of the younger Ar‐Ar ages may record these impact events. Although impact heating of ordinary chondrites within the last 1 Ga is relatively common for ordinary chondrites, only Bethune gives any significant evidence for such a young event.     

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE STONE METEORITES YAMATO (a), (b), (c) and (d), AND NUMAKAÍ

The stone meteorites Yamato (a), (b), (c) and (d) were found in Antarctica in 1969, and the chondrite Numakai was seen to fall in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1925. The chemical compositions of these meteorites have been determined by classical and instrumental methods. With the help of the stepwise fractional dissolution method the chemical composition confirmed the author's previous classification of Yamato (a), (b), (c) and (d) as enstatite chondrite, Ca-poor achondrite, type III carbonaceous chondrite and H-group chondrite, respectively. Numakai is classified as an H-group olivine-bronzite chondrite. The distribution of the major elements in each phase of these chondrites is discussed.     

Origin of Halogens and Nitrogen in Enstatite Chondrites

The EH and EL enstatite chondrites are the most reduced chondrite groups, having formed in nebular regions where the gas may have had high C/O and/or pH₂/pH₂O ratios. Enstatite chondrites (particularly EH) have higher CI- and Mg-normalized abundances of halogens (especially F and Cl) and nitrogen than ordinary chondrites and most groups of carbonaceous chondrites. Even relative to CI chondrites, EH and EL chondrites are enriched in F. We have found that literature values for the halogen abundance ratios in EH and EL chondrites are strongly correlated with the electronegativities of the individual halogens. We suggest that the most reactive halogens were the most efficient at forming compounds (e.g., halides) that were incorporated into EH-chondrite precursor materials. It seems plausible that, under the more-oxidizing conditions pertaining to the other chondrite groups, a larger fraction of the halogens remained in the gas. Nitrogen may have been incorporated into the enstatite chondrites as simple nitrides that did not condense under the more-oxidizing conditions in the regions where other chondrite groups formed. Literature data show that unequilibrated enstatite chondrites have light bulk N (δ ¹⁵N ≈ −20‰) compared to most ordinary (−5 to +20‰) and carbonaceous (+20 to +190‰) chondrites; this may reflect the contribution in enstatite chondrites of nitride condensates with δ¹⁵ N values close to the proposed nebular mean (~−400‰). In contrast, N in carbonaceous chondrites is mainly contained within ¹⁵N-rich organic matter. The major carrier of N in ordinary chondrites is unknown.     

The thermometry of enstatite chondrites: A brief review and update

Abstract— Due to the discoveries in Antarctica, the number of known enstatite chondrites has doubled in the last few years, and many rare or previously unknown types have been collected, most notably many EL3 and EH3 chondrites. We have applied the five major enstatite chondrite thermometers to the new and previously known enstatite chondrites, the thermometers being: (1) kamacite-quartz-enstatite-oldhamite-troilite (KQEOT), (2) oldhamite, (3) alabandite-niningerite, (4) sphalerite, and (5) phosphide-metal. Measured temperatures based on the KQEOT and oldhamite systems are 800 °C-1000 °C with the type 3 enstatite chondrites having values similar to those of type 4–6. It seems likely that these temperatures relate to events prior to parent body metamorphism, such as nebula condensation or chondrule formation, and were not significantly reset by later events. Measured temperatures for alabandite-niningerite, metal-phosphide and sphalerite in EH chondrites increase from 300 °C-400 °C to 600 °C-800 °C with petrographic indications of increasing metamorphism. In contrast, measured temperatures for all EL chondrites, including the most heavily metamorphosed, are generally <400 °C. Apparently EL chondrites cooled more slowly than the EH chondrites regardless of metamorphism experienced. Measured temperatures for the alabandite-niningerite, metal-phosphide and sphalerite are actually closure temperatures for the last thermal event suffered by the meteorite, and the fast cooling rates indicated are most consistent with processes occurring in thick regoliths.     

Properties of chondrules in EL3 chondrites,comparison with EH3 chondrites,and the implications for the formation of enstatite chondrites

Abstract— The study of chondrules provides information about processes occurring in the early solar system. In order to ascertain to what extent these processes played a role in determining the properties of the enstatite chondrites, the physical and chemical properties of chondrules from three EL3 chondrites and three EH3 chondrites have been examined by optical, cathodoluminescence (CL), and electron microprobe techniques. Properties examined include size, texture, CL, and composition of both individual phases and bulk chondrules. The textures, distribution of textures, and composition of silicates of the EL3 chondrules resemble those of EH3 chondrules. However, the chondrules from the two classes differ in that (1) the size distribution of the EL chondrules is skewed to larger values than EH chondrules, (2) the enstatite in EL chondrules displays varying shades of red CL due to the presence of fine‐grained sulfides and metal in the silicates, and (3) the mesostasis of EH chondrules is enriched in Na relative to that of EL chondrules. The similarities between the chondrules of the two classes suggest similar precursor materials, while the differences suggest that there was not a single reservoir of meteoritic chondrules, but that their origin was fairly local. The differences in the size distribution of chondrules in EH and EL chondrites may be explained by aerodynamic and gravitational sorting during accumulation of the meteoric material, while differences in CL and mesostasis properties may reflect differences in formation conditions and cooling rate following chondrule formation. We argue that our observations are consistent with the formation of enstatite chondrites in a thick dynamic regolith on their parent body.     

Origin of EL3 chondrites: Evidence for variable C/O ratios during their course of formation—A state of the art scrutiny

Mineral inventories of enstatite chondrites; (EH and EL) are strictly dictated by combined parameters mainly very low dual oxygen (fO₂) and sulfur (fS₂) fugacities. They are best preserved in the Almahata Sitta MS‐17, MS‐177 fragments, and the ALHA 77295 and MAC 88136 Antarctic meteorites. These conditions induce a stark change of the geochemical behavior of nominally lithophile elements to chalcophile or even siderophile and changes in the elemental partitioning thus leading to formation of unusual mineral assemblages with high abundance of exotic sulfide species and enrichment in the metallic alloys, for example, silicides and phosphides. Origin and mode of formation of these exotic chondrites, and their parental source regions could be best scrutinized by multitask research experiments of the most primitive members covering mineralogical, petrological, cosmochemical, and indispensably short‐lived isotopic chronology. The magnitude of temperature and pressure prevailed during their formation in their source regions could eventually be reasonably estimated: pre‐ and postaccretionary could eventually be deduced. The dual low fugacities are regulated by the carbon to oxygen ratios estimated to be >0.83 and <1.03. These parameters not only induce unusual geochemical behavior of the elements inverting many nominally lithophile elements to chalcophile or even siderophile or anthracophile. Structure and mineral inventories in EL3 and EH3 chondrites are fundamentally different. Yet EH3 and EL3 members store crucial information relevant to eventual source regions and importantly possible variation in C/O ratio in the course of their evolution. EL3 and EH3 chondrites contain trichotomous lithologies (1) chondrules and their fragments, (2) polygonal enstatite‐dominated objects, and (3) multiphase metal‐rich nodules. Mineralogical and cosmochemical inventories of lithologies in the same EL3 indicate not only similarities (REE inventory and anomalies in oldhamite) but also distinct differences (sinoite‐enstatite‐graphite relationship). Oldhamite in chondrules and polygonal fragments in EL3 depict negative Eu anomaly attesting a common cosmochemical source. Metal‐dominated nodules in both EL3 and EH3 are conglomerates of metal clasts and sulfide fragments in EH3 and concentrically zoned C‐bearing metal micropebbles (≥25 μm ≤50 μm) in EL3 thus manifesting a frozen in unique primordial accretionary metal texture and composition. Sinoite‐enstatite‐diopside‐graphite textures reveal a nucleation and growth strongly suggestive of fluctuating C/O ratio during their nucleation and growth in the source regions. Mineral inventories, sulfide phase relations, sinoite‐enstatite‐graphite intergrowth, carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions of graphite, spatial nitrogen abundance in graphite in metal nodules, and last but not least ¹²⁹I/¹²⁹Xe and ⁵³Mn/⁵³Cr systematics negate any previously suggested melting episode, pre‐accretionary or dynamic, in parental asteroids.     

The Meteoritical Bulletin,No. 82, 1998 July

Abstract— Meteoritical Bulletin No. 82 lists information for 974 new meteorites, including 521 finds from Antarctica, 401 finds from the Sahara, 21 finds from the Nullarbor region of Australia, and 7 falls (Ban Rong Du, Burnwell, Fermo, Jalanash, Juancheng, Monahans (1998), and Silao). Many rare types of meteorites are reported: counting pairing groups as one, these include one CR chondrite, two CK chondrites, two CO chondrites, four CV chondrites, one CH chondrite or Bencubbin-like, six C2 (unclassified) chondrites, two EH chondrites, two EL chondrites, three R chondrites, thirty unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, one un-grouped chondrite, three eucrites, six howardites, one diogenite, eleven ureilites, nine iron meteorites, one mesosiderite, two brachinites, one lodranite, one winonaite, and two lunar meteorites (Dar al Gani 400 and EET 96008). All italicized abbreviations refer to addresses tabulated at the end of this document.     

Acfer 217-A new member of the Rumuruti chondrite group (R)

Abstract— Previously, three meteorites from Australia and Antarctica were described as a new chondritic “grouplet” (Carlisle Lakes, Allan Hills (ALH) 85151, Yamato (Y) ?75302; Rubin and Kallemeyn, 1989). This grouplet was classified as the “Carlisle Lakes-type” chondrites (Weisberg et al., 1991). Recently, one Saharan sample and four more Antarctic meteorites were identified to belong to this group (Acfer 217, Y-793575, Y-82002, PCA91002, PCA91241). The latter two are probably paired. With the meteorite Rumuruti, the first fall of this type of chondrite is known (Schulze et al., 1994). We report here on the Saharan meteorite Acfer 217 which has chemical and mineralogical properties very similar to Rumuruti and Carlisle Lakes. All eight members of this group, Rumuruti, Carlisle Lakes, ALH85151, Y-75302, Y-793575, Y-82002, Acfer 217, and the paired samples PCA91002 and PCA91241 justify the introduction of a new group of chondritic meteorites, the Rumuruti meteorites (R). Acfer 217 is a regolith breccia consisting of up to cm-sized clasts (～33 vol%) embedded in a fine-grained, well-lithified clastic matrix. The most abundant mineral is olivine (～72 vol%), which has a high Fa-content of 37–39 mol%. The major minerals (olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, Ca-pyroxene, and plagioclase) show some compositional variability indicating a slightly unequilibrated nature of the meteorite. Considering the mean olivine composition of Fa_{37.8 ± 5.7}, a classification of Acfer 217 as a R3.8 chondrite would result; however, Acfer 217 is a regolith breccia consisting of clasts of various petrologic types. Therefore, we suggest to classify Acfer 217 as a R3–5 chondrite regolith breccia. The bulk meteorite is very weakly shocked (S2). The bulk composition of Acfer 217 and other R-meteorites show that the R-meteorites are basically chondritic in composition. The pattern of moderately volatile elements is unique in R chondrites; Na and Mn are essentially undepleted, similar to ordinary chondrites, while Zn and Se contents are similar to concentrations in CM chondrites. The oxygen isotopic composition in Acfer 217 is similar to that of Rumuruti, Carlisle Lakes, ALH 85151, and Y-75302. In a δ¹⁷O vs. δ¹⁸O-diagram, the R-meteorites form a group well resolved from other chondrite groups. Acfer 217 was a meteoroid of common size with a radius between 15–65 cm and with a single stage exposure history. Based on ²¹Ne, an exposure age of about 35 Ma was calculated.     

Itqiy: A study of noble gases and oxygen isotopes including its terrestrial age and a comparison with Zakłodzie

Abstract— We report noble gas, oxygen isotope, ¹⁴C and ¹⁰Be data of Itqiy as well as noble gas, ¹⁴C and ¹⁰Be results for Zak?odzie. Both samples have been recently classified as anomalous enstatite meteorites and have been compared in terms of their mineralogy and chemical composition. The composition of enstatite and kamacite and the occurrence of specific sulfide phases in Itqiy indicate it formed under similar reducing conditions to those postulated for enstatite chondrites. The new results now seem to point at a direct spatial link. The noble gas record of Itqiy exhibits the presence of a trapped subsolar component, which is diagnostic for petrologic types 4–6 among enstatite chondrites. The concentration of radiogenic ⁴He is very low in Itqiy and indicates a recent thermal event. Its ²¹Ne cosmic‐ray exposure age is 30.1 ± 3.0 Ma and matches the most common age range of enstatite chondrites (mostly EL6 chondrites) but not that of Zak?odzie. Itqiy's isotopic composition of oxygen is in good agreement with that observed in Zak?odzie as well as those found in enstatite meteorites suggesting an origin from a common oxygen pool. The noble gas results, on the other hand, give reason to believe that the origin and evolution of Itqiy and Zak?odzie are not directly connected. Itqiy's terrestrial age of 5800 ± 500 years sheds crucial light on the uncertain circumstances of its recovery and proves that Itqiy is not a modern fall, whereas the ¹⁴C results from Zak?odzie suggest it hit Earth only recently.     

Impact melting in the Cumberland Falls and Mayo Belwa aubrites

Abstract– Six chondritic clasts in the Cumberland Falls polymict breccia were examined: four texturally resemble ordinary chondrites (OCs) and two are impact melt breccias containing shocked OC clasts adjacent to a melt matrix. The six chondritic clasts are probably remnants of a single OC projectile that was heterogeneously shocked when it collided with the Cumberland Falls host. Mayo Belwa is the first known aubrite impact melt breccia. It contains coarse enstatite grains exhibiting mosaic extinction; the enstatite grains are surrounded by a melt matrix composed of 3–16 μm‐size euhedral and subhedral enstatite grains embedded in sodic plagioclase. Numerous vugs, ranging from a few micrometers to a few millimeters in size, constitute ～5 vol% of the meteorite. They occur nearly exclusively within the Mayo Belwa matrix; literature data show that some vugs are lined with bundles of acicular grains of the amphibole fluor‐richterite. This phase has been reported previously in only two other enstatite meteorites (Abee and St. Sauveur), both of which are EH‐chondrite impact melt breccias. It seems likely that in Mayo Belwa, volatiles were vaporized during an impact event and formed bubbles in the melt. As the melt solidified, the bubbles became cavities; plagioclase and fluor‐richterite crystallized at the margins of these cavities via reaction of the melt with the vapor.     

The Meteoritical Bulletin,No. 111

Meteoritical Bulletin 111 contains the 3094 meteorites approved by the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society in 2022. It includes 11 falls (Antonin, Botohilitano, Cranfield, Golden, Great Salt Lake, Longde, Msied, Ponggo, Qiquanhu, Tiglit, Traspena), with 2533 ordinary chondrites, 165 HED, 123 carbonaceous chondrites (including 4 ungrouped), 82 lunar meteorites, 28 Rumuruti chondrites, 27 iron meteorites, 23 ureilites, 22 mesosiderites, 22 Martian meteorites, 21 primitive achondrites (one ungrouped), 17 ungrouped achondrites, 13 pallasites, 7 enstatite achondrites, 6 enstatite chondrites, and 5 angrites. Of the meteorites classified in 2022, 1787 were from Antarctica, 1078 from Africa, 180 from South America, 34 from Asia, 6 from North America, 4 from Europe, and 1 from Oceania.     

Evidence for a late thermal event of unequilibrated enstatite chondrites: A Rb-Sr study of Qingzhen and Yamato 6901 (EH3) and Khairpur (EL6)

Abstract— The Rb-Sr whole rock and internal systematics of two EH3 chondrites, Qingzhen and Yamato 6901, and of one EL6 chondrite, Khairpur, were determined. Sulfides were separated using a stepwise dissolution technique. The mineral species in each fraction were estimated based on the chemical analyses of 12 major elements. The internal Rb-Sr systematics of the EH3 chondrites are highly disturbed. Fractions corresponding to sulfide phases show excess ⁸⁷Sr, while other fractions corresponding to silicate phases produce a linear trend on a Rb-Sr evolution diagram. If these linear relations are interpreted as isochrons, the ages of the silicate phases are 2.12 ± 0.23 Ga and 2.05 ± 0.33 Ga with the initial Sr isotopic ratios of 0.7112 ± 0.0018 and 0.7089 ± 0.0032, for Qingzhen and Yamato 6901, respectively. The process of the isotopic disturbance probably involved the breakdown of the major K-bearing sulfide (djerfisherite), and a lack of isotopic exchange between sulfide and silicate phases indicates moderate temperatures of reheating. Although a complete Sr isotopic re-homogenization among silicate phases was not attained, we interpret the Rb-Sr results as indicative of a late thermal event about 2 Ga ago on the parent bodies of these EH3 chondrites. These ages agree well with previously published K-Ar ages. An older isochron age of 4.481 ± 0.036 Ga with a low initial Sr isotopic ratio of 0.69866 ± 0.00038 was obtained for the data from silicate fractions of Khairpur, indicating early petrological equilibration on the parent body of EL6 chondrites.     

Geochemical and petrographic studies of oldhamite,diopside, and roedderite in enstatite meteorites

Abstract— In Qingzhen (EH3), oldhamite contains numerous types of inclusions and intergrows with other phases; but in equilibrated enstatite chondrites and aubrites, it usually occurs as individual grains. I suggest that oldhamite in unequilibrated enstatite chondrites (UECs) crystallized from a melt, probably during chondrule formation. Subsequent thermal metamorphism on the parent bodies further modified the oldhamite occurrences in enstatite chondrites. This suggestion is consistent with the results of melting experiments on UECs and aubrites and with the volatile element enrichments in this mineral. I analyzed minor and trace element abundances in diopside from two aubrites. These data and petrographic observations suggest that diopside formed by igneous crystallization. I report the first known occurrence of roedderite in an aubrite and its major, minor, and trace element concentrations. This mineral is rich in alkalis but is depleted in siderophile and refractory lithophile elements. A negative Sm anomaly was noted in albite from equilibrated enstatite chondrites and aubrites.     

Shock‐induced thermal history of an EH3 chondrite,Asuka 10164

Shock‐induced features are abundantly observed in meteorites. Especially, shock veins, including high‐pressure minerals, characterize many kinds of heavily shocked meteorite. On the other hand, no high‐pressure phases have been yet reported from enstatite chondrites. We studied a heavily shocked EH3 chondrite, Asuka 10164, containing a vein, which comprises fragments of fine‐grained silicate and opaque minerals, and chondrules. In this vein, we found a silica polymorph, coesite. This is the first discovery of a high‐pressure phase in enstatite chondrites. Other high‐pressure polymorphs were not observed in the vein. The assemblages and chemical compositions of minerals, and the occurrence of coesite indicate that the vein was subjected to the high‐pressure and temperature condition at about 3–10 GPa and 1000 °C. The host also experienced heating for a short time under lower temperature conditions, from ~700 to ~1000 °C, based on the opaque minerals typical of EH chondrites and textural features. Although the pressure condition of the vein in this chondrite is much lower than those in the other meteorites, our results suggest that all major meteorite groups contain high‐pressure polymorphs. Heavy shock events commonly took place in the solar system.