The composition of the mantle of the eucrite parent body and the origin of eucrites

Previous estimates of the composition of the EPB have tacitly assumed chondritic abundances of refractory LIL elements. A model is presented here which utilizes refractory element ratios instead. Consideration of these ratios and of known olivine-liquid partition coefficients for Sc, Mg and Si imply that the EPB mantle may be accurately modeled as a simple mixture of 25% eucrite + 75% olivine. The model also implies that eucrites such as Juvinas and Sioux County were derived by large degrees of partial melting (20–30%). Comparison of the model EPB mantle to known meteorite classes indicates a similarity between the element abundances of the EPB and C3 chondrites.