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achondrites

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Al Bir Lahlou 001

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

achondrite-ung

Country

Year found

2021

Mass

12.4 kg

[Museum Collection]

(1) 4.254g *This meteorite was donated to Natural History Museum Vienna.

(2) 2.64g   (3) 2.50g   

History: The stone was found by meteorite hunters in Western Sahara. Physical characteristics: Smooth sand blasted exterior and saw-cut, exposed interior show a cumulate intermingling of cream-colored plagioclase grains and vivid-green pyroxene grains. Petrography: (C. Agee and A. Ross, UNM) This meteorite contains approximately 60% plagioclase, 35% low-Ca pyroxene, minor phases include olivine, low-Ni iron metal, and Cr-spinel. Grain boundaries between plagioclase and pyroxene are gradational and occupied by blebby intergrowths of both phases. Olivine was observed as small (~100 μm) inclusions in pyroxene. Metal is nearly pure iron with trace amounts of cobalt -- nickel was barely detectable with the microprobe. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Olivine Fa36.0±3.9, Fe/Mn=35±2, n=6; low-Ca pyroxene Fs28.6±2.7Wo3.6±0.9, Fe/Mn=22±1, Cr2O3=0.77±.14 (wt%), n=6; plagioclase An97.9±0.1Ab2.0±0.1Or0.1±0.0, n=4; iron metal Co=0.24±0.10 (wt%), n=5. Oxygen isotopes (K. Ziegler, UNM): 3 acid-washed fragments analyzed by laser fluorination gave δ18O= 3.821, 3.829, 3.939; δ17O= 1.723, 1.731, 1.792; Δ17O= -0.295, -0.291, -0.288 (linearized, per mil, TFL slope=0.528). Classification: Ungrouped achondrite. This meteorite is a norite. It has oxygen isotopes values that are about 0.05 per mil below the HED array. The pyroxene compositions are similar to that found in diogenites, however the plagioclase abundance (60%) of this norite is much higher than in any diogenite (orthopyroxenite). The anorthite (An98) content of the plagioclase is significantly higher than typical HED values. Specimens: 22 g including a probe mount on deposit at UNM, Said Bachir holds the main mass.

Erg Chech 002

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

achondrite-ung

Country

Year found

2020

Mass

31.78 kg

[Museum Collection]

(1)115.08g  (2)25.799g   (3)8.166g    (4)5.492g    (5)3.250g    (6)2.552g     (7)2.3261g  (8)2.222g    (9)1.941g    (10)1.895g   (11)1.813g   (12)1.684g (13)1.568g  (14)1.506g   (15)1.488g (16)0.568g
(17)2.8g      (18)1.62g      (19)2.87g    (20)1.95g (21)1.72g    (22)1.59g      (23)1.3g      (24)10.957g (25)1.75g 

History: Numerous stones containing distinctive large greenish crystals were found in May 2020 near Bir Ben Takoul, southern Algeria, within the Erg Chech sand sea. Three of these stones (weighing 1839, 467, and 207 g) were obtained by Rachid Chaoui, and two of them were subsequently purchased by Mark Lyon and one by Jason Utas. Additional stones (110, 178, 355, 360, 408, 480, 550, 587, 750, 805, 855, 1071, 1175, 1417, 1857, 2647, 3485, 3910, 4130, and 4140 g) were purchased in June and July 2020 from different Moroccan dealers by Ben Hoefnagels, Eric Twelker, Luc Labenne, Darryl Pitt, Vincent Jacques, Ziyao Wang, Marcin Cimała, Adam Aaronson, Michael Farmer and Aziz Habibi. Physical characteristics: The stones under classification (combined weight 31.783 kg) lack fusion crust, and have an overall relatively coarse grained, tan and beige appearance with sporadic larger green, yellow-green and less commonly yellow-brown crystals (up to 9 cm by 4 cm in some specimens). Some minor reddish-brown staining is evident in the groundmass regions. This classification is based on direct analysis of samples from the 1839 g stone augmented by examination of photographs and descriptions of other stones found with them. Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS and P. Carpenter, WUSL) Unbrecciated igneous texture. Sporadic pyroxene megacrysts (ranging in size from 1.7 to 11.5 mm in the studied thin section), exhibiting angular or ellipsoidal and embayed shapes, and comprising orthopyroxene (of varying composition), pigeonite and augite occur within a dominant, medium to relatively coarse grained groundmass. The cores of each of the analyzed megacrysts are fairly homogeneous in composition, but all are mantled by zones of different composition and distinct, fine grained rim overgrowths against the groundmass parallel to grain outlines (irrespective of geometry). Some low-Ca pyroxene cores contain thin lamellae and some larger inclusions (up to 300 µm) of Ti-poor chromite. The groundmass representing the major portion of the specimens (mean grainsize ~1.5 mm) is composed predominantly of exsolved pigeonite (commonly as radiating clusters of prismatic grains) and lath-like sodic plagioclase (zoned from irregular oligoclase cores to albitic rims with oriented dagger-like K-feldspar exsolution blades) together with accessory Ti-chromite, ilmenite (some as rims on chromite), troilite, silica polymorph (with a curved "fish-scale" fracture pattern suggestive of cristobalite), merrillite, and rare Ni-poor metal (in composite grain clusters with ilmenite, Ti-chromite and troilite). Secondary weathering products include minor goethite after primary troilite and metal, and sporadic very thin veinlets of calcite. Geochemistry: Orthopyroxene megacryst #1 (core Fs17.7Wo3.3; mantle Fs23.4-31.1Wo3.4-3.8; rim Fs37.6-42.5Wo2.9-3.3; FeO/MnO = 21-26, Cr2O3 = 0.3-0.5 wt.%; N = 6), orthopyroxene megacryst #2 (core Fs14.4±0.0Wo2.2-2.3; mantle Fs19.2-28.7Wo2.0-2.1; rim Fs33.1-36.8Wo2.8-3.5; FeO/MnO = 17-26; Cr2O3 = 0.3-1.0 wt.%; N = 7), orthopyroxene megacryst #3 (core Fs22.8Wo1.2; mantle Fs30.8Wo2.2; rim Fs43.5Wo2.5; FeO/MnO = 16-23; Cr2O3 = 0.2-0.4 wt.%; N = 3), pigeonite megacryst (core Fs21.3Wo7.0; mantle Fs23.4Wo11.8; rim Fs40.7Wo5.0; FeO/MnO = 17-20; Cr2O3 = 0.3-0.8 wt.%; N = 3), augite megacryst (core Fs14.7-19.4Wo38.5-30.2; rim Fs24.7Wo38.1; FeO/MnO = 15-18; Cr2O3 = 1.1 wt.%; N = 4), groundmass exsolved pigeonite (low-Ca pyroxene host Fs42.3-52.2Wo2.9-4.6, FeO/MnO = 21-23, N = 6; augite exsolution lamellae Fs18.1-25.9Wo40.8-38.1, FeO/MnO = 18-22, N = 5), groundmass plagioclase (oligoclase cores and intergrown with pyroxene megacrysts Ab68.8-79.0An26.7-17.9Or4.4-2.6, N = 6; albitic rims on laths Ab84.4-86.7An11.4-7.1Or4.2-7.0, N = 5), K-feldspar exsolution blade in albite (Or84.1Ab11.3An4.6), Fe metal (Ni = 0.13-0.18 wt.%, N = 2). Oxygen isotopes (K. Ziegler, UNM): analyses of acid-washed subsamples of groundmass and an orthopyroxene megacryst by laser fluorination gave, respectively: groundmass δ17O 1.548, 1.788, 1.831, 1.773; δ18O 3.201, 3.657, 3.728, 3.593; Δ17O -0.142, -0.143, -0.137, -0.123 (linearized, all per mil, TFL slope = 0.528); megacryst δ17O 1.780, 1.639, 1.682; δ18O 3.594, 3.329, 3.379; Δ17O -0.117, -0.119, -0.103 (linearized, all per mil, TFL slope = 0.528). Magnetic susceptibility log χ (× 10-9 m3/kg) = 3.06. Classification: Achondrite (ungrouped, gabbroic with pyroxene megacrysts, sodic). Although the exsolved pigeonite in this meteorite is reminiscent of pyroxene in typical eucrites (with the notable exception of systematically much lower FeO/MnO ratios), the highly sodic and mildly potassic plagioclase is very different from the much more calcic plagioclase in eucrites (typically bytownite to anorthite, and only rarely as sodic as calcic labradorite Ab33An67). The cores of orthopyroxene megacrysts differ from typical diogenitic orthopyroxene in usually being more magnesian, more Cr-rich and having lower FeO/MnO ratios. Oxygen isotopes (Δ17O values) plot between the field for the majority of eucrites and the trend for angrites, in the vicinity of values for anomalous eucrites Bunburra Rockhole, Emmaville, Asuka 881394 and EET 92023. However, Erg Chech 002 is mineralogically quite different from those four meteorites in many respects, most notably the prevalence of highly sodic plagioclase and lower FeO/MnO ratios in pyroxenes. Specimens: 50.1 g including one polished thin section and one polished mount at UWB; main mass of the 1839 g stone and the 207 g stone with Mr. M. Lyon; 467 g stone with Mr. J. Utas; 110 g stone with Mr. E. Twelker; 4140 g stone, 355 g stone and main mass of 408 g stone with Mr. B. Hoefnagels; 480 g stone with Mr. L. Labenne; 587 g, 855 g, 1071 g and 1417 g stones with DPitt; 550 g stone with Mr. M. Cimała; 4130 g stone with Mr. V. Jacques; 805 g stone with Mr. Ziyao Wang; 1857 g stone with Mr. S. Jurvetson; 2647 g stone with Mr. T. Boudreaux; 1175 g and 3485 g stones with Farmer; 178 g and 360 g stones with  Aaronson; 3910 g stone at MMGM; 750 g with Mr. A. Habibi; 892 g with Matthew Stream.

Zakłodzie

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

Enst achon-ung

Country

Year found

1998

Mass

8.68 kg

[Museum Collection]

(1) 2.97g

This is 1 of 5 approved meteorites classified as Enst achon-ung. Search for specimens in the Smithsonian Institution collection (U.S.): Search for this meteorite in the Natural History Museum collection (U.K.): Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 84, MAPS 35, A199-A225 (2000)

NWA011

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

achondrite-ung

Country

Year found

1999

Mass

40 g

[Museum Collection]

(1) 1.103g   (2) 0.730g   

This is 1 of 134 approved meteorites classified as Achondrite-ung. Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 84, MAPS 35, A199-A225 (2000)

NWA2400

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

achondrite-ung

Country

Year found

2003

Mass

136 g

[Museum Collection]

(1) 54.701g   (2) 6.418g   (3) 2.692g

This is 1 of 134 approved meteorites classified as Achondrite-ung. Published in Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 89, MAPS 40, A201-A263 (2005)

NWA13266

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

Enstatite achondrites

Country

Year found

2018

Mass

750 g

[Museum Collection]

(1) 4.53g   (2) 3.81g 

History: The meteorite was purchased from a local meteorite dealer in Niger. Physical characteristics: Dark brownish rock without fusion crust. Petrography: The meteorite is an enstatite achondrite predominantly composed of 50-1000 µm sized enstatite and less abundant sodic feldspar grains. Some regions appear to be recrystallized exhibiting triple junctions. Albitic and Si-rich glass is present throughout the meteorite. Opaque phases include nodules composed of niningerite and Cr-rich troilte, Si-rich kamacite, and rare Zn-bearing daubréelite. Metal grains are often spherical. No relict chondrules have been observed. Geochemistry: enstatite: Fs0.3±0.2Wo0.3±1.3 (Fs0.1-0.6Wo0.2-0.3, n=12); feldspar: An19.2±1.9Ab79.1±1.9Or1.7±0.2 (An81.5-92.3Ab-75.9-83.2Or1.4-2.0, n=18); kamacite: Ni=7.04±0.18, Si=2.99±0.01, Co=0.24±0.01, P=0.58±0.39 (wt%), n=3 Classification: Enstatite achondrite.

NWA13272

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

achondrite-ung

Country

Year found

2019

Mass

1603 g

[Museum Collection]

(1) 9.04g   (2) 6.05g 

History: Found in Mauritania and purchased by Rachid and Jaouad Chaoui in December 2019 from a dealer in Zouerat, Mauritania. Physical characteristics: The specimen lacks fusion crust and is coated by a shiny brown desert patina. Polished interior surfaces reveal the presence of rare tiny specks of partially altered metal. Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS and P. Carpenter, WUSL) The specimen has a fine grained, poikilitic igneous texture. Composed predominantly of polysynthetically-twinned, compositionally-zoned pyroxene oikocrysts (with domains of orthopyroxene, pigeonite and subcalcic augite) enclosing chadacrysts of olivine, together with interstitial devitrified silicic glass (pale pink in thin section) plus accessory troilite (some Cr-bearing), Ti-poor chromite and very rare kamacite (some altered to Fe hydroxides). Olivine is preferentially stained pale orange in thin section, and there are some cross-cutting dilation veins filled with comminuted olivine and orthopyroxene. Minor secondary calcite and anhydrite are present. Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa24.0-29.5, N = 8), orthopyroxene (Fs17.9-19.0Wo2.0-3.8, N = 5), pigeonite (Fs18.9-19.0Wo7.2-9.0, N = 2), subcalcic augite (Fs12.2-12.6Wo33.7-37.1, N = 4). Oxygen isotopes (K. Ziegler, UNM): analyses of acid-washed bulk subsamples by laser fluorination gave, respectively, δ17O 4.120, 4.159, 4.045; δ18O 5.908, 6.096, 5.717; Δ17O 1.001, 0.940, 1.026 per mil. Classification: Achondrite (ungrouped, igneous, with oxygen isotopic affinity to L chondrites). Specimens: 22.1 g including one polished thin section at UWB; remainder held by Mr. R. Chaoui and Mr. J. Chaoui.

NWA15061

Name

*click on the Name for more information

Structure Class

achondrites

Chemical Class

Achondrite-prim-ung

Country

Year found

2022

Mass

5.72 kg

[Museum Collection]

(1) 66g

History: Reportedly found by Saharawi meteorite hunters in an area called Unan (~120 km SE of Taoudenni), Mali, in February 2022. Petrography: (K. Metzler, IfP) Achondrite with metamorphic texture, showing frequent 120° triple junctions and partly poikilitic intergrowths. It consists of olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, Ca-rich pyroxene, plagioclase, and Fe-Ni metal. Much of the latter is terrestrially oxidized, forming veins of alteration products along grain boundaries and crosscutting mineral grains. Typical grain sizes are between 200 and 500 µm, but low-Ca pyroxene grains up to several mm occur. Accessories are troilite and daubréelite. Geochemistry: Mineral compositions and geochemistry: The mean olivine composition is Fa1.2±0.1 (Fa1.0-1.4; n=9). The mean low-Ca pyroxene composition is Fs1.4±0.3Wo0.8±0.1 (Fs0.9-1.8Wo0.5-0.9; n=11). The mean composition of Ca-rich pyroxene is Fs0.9±0.3Wo40.9±0.5 (Fs0.5-1.4Wo40.3-41.6; n=10). The mean feldspar composition is An36.5±2.0Or0.1±0.1 (An32.1-38.6Or0.0-0.4; n=10). Classification: Winonaite, based on texture, mineral chemistry and high abundance of Fe-Ni metal. Specimens: 3292 g owned by Mohamed Ali Loud (largest piece 385 g). 2430 g owned by Miguel Ángel Contreras Gómez.

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