Antarctic Meteorite Newsletter, Volume 28, No. 1 - February 2005
Volume 28, No. 1 - February 2005

Petrographic Descriptions             Go to Pet. Desc. Page 1 of 2

Sample No.: QUE 02158
Location: Queen Alexandra Range
Field No.: 14896
Dimensions (cm):   2.0x1.75x1.5
Weight (g): 8.591
Meteorite Type: Diogenite
    QUE02158 QUE02158

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
The exterior surface has patches of thin, dark brown fusion crust. The interior has a sandy textured cream colored matrix that is friable. Clasts and <mm black minerals are visible.

Thin Section (,3) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
QUE 02158 - Cross-Polarized Light QUE 02158 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section shows a groundmass of essentially monominerallic, coarse (up to 1.5 mm) comminuted orthopyroxene of uniform composition (Fs22Wo2). The Fe/Mn ratio of the pyroxene is ~30. The meteorite is a diogenite and is possibly paired with QUE 99050.


Sample No.: DOM 03182
Location: Dominion Range
Field No.: 14988
Dimensions (cm):   3.0x2.5x2.0
Weight (g): 19.793
Meteorite Type: CM2 Chondrite
    DOM03182 DOM03182

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
The exterior has fractured, purplish fusion crust on ~40% of its surface. The surface is rough with polygonal fractures. The black matrix has <mm sized light inclusions.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Linda Welzenbach, Tim McCoy
DOM 03182 - Cross-Polarized Light DOM 03182 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section consists of abundant small chondrules (up to 1 mm), mineral grains and CAIs set in a black matrix; rare metal and sulfide grains are present. Olivine compositions are Fa0-30, with many grains Fa0-2; orthopyroxene is Fs1-2. The matrix consists dominantly of an Fe-rich serpentine. The meteorite is a CM2 chondrite.


Sample No.: DOM 03183
Location: Dominion Range
Field No.: 14956
Dimensions (cm):   8.5x3.5x4.0
Weight (g): 124.519
Meteorite Type: CM2 Chondrite
    DOM03183 DOM03183

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
85% of the exterior is covered with purplish fusion crust with polygonal fractures. The interior has a black matrix with dark chondrules.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Linda Welzenbach, Tim McCoy
DOM 03183 - Cross-Polarized Light DOM 03183 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section consists of a few small chondrules (up to 0.5 mm), mineral grains and CAIs set in a black matrix; rare metal and sulfide grains are present. Olivine compositions are Fa0-38, with many grains Fa0-2. The matrix consists dominantly of an Fe-rich serpentine. The meteorite is a CM2 chondrite.


Sample No.: DOM 03287
Location: Dominion Range
Field No.: 14324
Dimensions (cm):   3.0x2.25x2.0
Weight (g): 20.236
Meteorite Type: L3 Chondrite
    DOM03287

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
90% of the exterior has brown/black fusion crust with oxidation haloes and polygonal fractures. The interior is dark gray with high metal content and gray and rusty chondrules 1-2 mm sized.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Linda Welzenbach, Tim McCoy
DOM 03287 - Cross-Polarized Light DOM 03287 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section exhibits numerous small, well-defined chondrules (up to 3 mm) in a black matrix of fine-grained silicates, metal and troilite. Weak shock effects are present. Polysynthetically twinned pyroxene is extremely abundant. The meteorite is highly weathered. Silicates are unequilibrated; olivines range from Fa15-29 and pyroxenes from Fs6-24. The meteorites are L3 chondrites (estimated subtype 3.7).


Sample No.: LAP 03587
Location: LaPaz Ice Field
Field No.: 16871
Dimensions (cm):   6.0x4.5x3.0
Weight (g): 130.24
Meteorite Type: Ureilite
LAP03587 LAP03587
LAP03587  
   

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
40% of the exterior has thick brown/black fusion crust with polygonal fractures. The exposed interior is weathered brown and friable, appearing like rounded lumps. The interior reveals a dark gray matrix with angular, interlocking mineral grains with rounded lighter gray inclusions. Small rust haloes and fractures are visible.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
LAP 03587 - Cross-Polarized Light LAP 03587 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section consists of an aggregate of large olivine and pyroxene grains up to 2 mm across. Individual olivine grains are rimmed by carbon-rich material containing traces of metal. Shock effects in olivine are minor; pyroxenes exhibit mosaicism. Olivine has cores of Fa25, with rims reduced to Fa10. Pigeonite is Fs14-20,Wo8-10. The meteorite is a ureilite.


Sample No.: LAP 03645
Location: LaPaz Ice Field
Field No.: 16023
Dimensions (cm):   7.5x3.0x2.5
Weight (g): 127.562
Meteorite Type: R Chondrite
LAP03645 LAP03645

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
Black fusion crust with polygonal fractures covers 60% of the exterior. The interior has a medium gray matrix with black and gray inclusions. This meteorite has a high metal content with rust and an oxidation rind.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Linda Welzenbach, Tim McCoy
LAP 03645 - Cross-Polarized Light LAP 03645 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
This meteorite is similar to and almost certainly paired with LAP 02238, the original description of which is given below:
The section consists of relatively few chondrules (up to 1 mm) and chondrule fragments in a fine-grained brecciated matrix, with very abundant iron sulfide and pentlandite and lesser abundances of oxides and graphite. Mineral compositions are olivine of Fa27-46 (most Fa38-40), orthopyroxene of Fs18-36Wo1-3 and augite Fs9-15Wo44-48. The olivine composition is similar to R chondrites, although graphite has not been previously reported in this group.


Sample No.: LAP 03718; LAP 03785
Location: LaPaz Ice Field
Field No.: 16841; 16284
Dimensions (cm):   5.5x5.0x3.0
5.0x4.0x2.0
Weight (g): 95.209; 43.434
Meteorite Type: CM2 Chondrite
    
LAP03718 LAP03718 LAP03718
LAP03784 and LAP03785 LAP03784 and LAP03785  
   

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
The exterior has purplish black fusion crust with some fractures. The interior is black with a few mm sized light colored chondrules. 718 has an evaporate rim.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
The sections consist of a few small chondrules (up to 0.5 mm), mineral grains and CAIs set in a black matrix; rare metal and sulfide grains are present. Olivine compositions are Fa1-48, with a peak at Fa0-2; orthopyroxene is Fs1. The matrix consists dominantly of an Fe-rich serpentine. The meteorites are CM2 chondrites.


LAP 03718 - Cross-Polarized Light LAP 03718 - Plane-Polarized Light LAP 03785 - Cross-Polarized Light LAP 03785 - Plane-Polarized Light
LAP 03718
Cross-Polarized Light
LAP 03718
Plane-Polarized Light
LAP 03785
Cross-Polarized Light
LAP 03785
Plane-Polarized Light


Sample No.: LAP 03784
Location: LaPaz Ice Field
Field No.: 16186
Dimensions (cm):   5.5x4.0x2.75
Weight (g): 50.922
Meteorite Type: CK5 Chondrite
LAP03784 LAP03784 and LAP03785
LAP03784 and LAP03785  
   

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
50% of the exterior has rough, black fusion crust with polygonal fractures. The interior is steel gray matrix with mm sized gray chondrules.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
LAP 03784 - Cross-Polarized Light LAP 03784 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section consists of chondrules up to 2 mm in a matrix of finer-grained silicates, sulfides and magnetite. Weathering is minor. Silicates are homogeneous with olivine of Fa33. The meteorite is a CK5 chondrite.


Sample No.: LAP 031370
Location: LaPaz Ice Field
Field No.: 16967
Dimensions (cm):   1.75x0.75x1.5
Weight (g): 8.669
Meteorite Type: Iron (Ungrouped)
    LAP031370

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
The exterior is dull and rusty with oxidation haloes. This iron is shaped like a fish.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
We examined this small meteorite in polished section from a central slice. The section consists of ~90% kamacite with abundant Neumann bands that vary in spacing from a few to a hundred microns. No heat altered zone or a2 structure was observed. Included within the metal are polyminerallic silicate inclusions that reach a few mm in diameter with included metal, troilite, chromite and pentlandite and a kidney-shaped troilite inclusion 1.2 mm in length. The silicates are broadly chondritic and relict barred chondrules are present. Silicates are homogeneous with olivine of Fa24 and orthopyroxene of Fs21. The meteorite is an ungrouped iron.


Sample No.: MIL 03368
Location: Miller Range
Field No.: 13943
Dimensions (cm):   3.5x3.5x5.0
Weight (g): 80.930
Meteorite Type: Diogenite
MIL03368 MIL03368
MIL03368 MIL03368
   

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
50% of the exterior has chocolate brown fusion crust. The exposed interior is yellow brown in color with small, dark clasts. The interior is brecciated with numerous clasts (cm sized). Clasts vary in size and color with some being rusty and having crystalline rims. Fractures are visible.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
MIL 03368 - Cross-Polarized Light MIL 03368 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section shows a groundmass of coarse (up to 5 mm) comminuted pyroxene, with minor olivine. Orthopyroxene has a composition of Fs27Wo3 and olivine is Fa29. The Fe/Mn ratio of the pyroxene is ~30. The meteorite is a diogenite.


Sample No.: RBT 03522
Location: Robert Massif
Field No.: 15348
Dimensions (cm):   6.0x5.5x4.0
Weight (g): 282.4
Meteorite Type: CK5 Chondrite
RBT03522 RBT03522
RBT03522  
   

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
Small patches of brown/black fusion crust are visible on the exterior. The exposed interior is dark gray, with a rough texture and patches of white evaporites. The interior is steel gray matrix with mm sized gray chondrules. This carbonaceous chondrite is hard.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
RBT 03522 - Cross-Polarized Light RBT 03522 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section consists of relict chondrules up to 2 mm in a matrix of finer-grained silicates, sulfides and magnetite. Weathering is minor, but shock-blackening is extensive. Silicates are homogeneous. Olivine is Fa27-30 and orthopyroxene is Fs28. The meteorite is a CK5 chondrite.


Sample No.: RBT 03523
Location: Robert Massif
Field No.: 15331
Dimensions (cm):   2.0x1.5x1.5
Weight (g): 6.702
Meteorite Type: CM2 Chondrite
    RBT03523 RBT03523

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
The exterior has a dull, black fusion crust with polygonal fractures. The black interior matrix contains small light colored chondrules. This carbonaceous chondrite is soft.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Linda Welzenbach, Tim McCoy
RBT 03523 - Cross-Polarized Light RBT 03523 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
The section consists of a few small chondrules (up to 0.5 mm), mineral grains and CAIs set in a black matrix; rare metal and sulfide grains are present. Olivine compositions are Fa1-57. The matrix consists dominantly of an Fe-rich serpentine. The meteorite is a CM2 chondrite


Sample No.: SAN 03489
Location: Sandford Range
Field No.: 13921
Dimensions (cm):   3.5x2.0x3.0
Weight (g): 29.188
Meteorite Type: Eucrite (Brecciated)
SAN03489 SAN03489
SAN03489  
   

Macroscopic Description: Kathleen McBride
100% of the exterior has rough, black fusion crust with small glassy patches. The interior gray matrix has gray and white inclusions with thin hairline fractures.

Thin Section (,2) Description: Cari Corrigan, Tim McCoy
SAN 03489 - Cross-Polarized Light SAN 03489 - Plane-Polarized Light
Cross-Polarized Light Plane-Polarized Light
This section includes coarse- to fine-grained basaltic clasts up to 2 mm in a comminuted matrix of plagioclase and pyroxene. Pyroxene is dominantly pigeonite to subcalcic augite (Fs48-59Wo4-16) and plagioclase is An82-95. The Fe/Mn ratio of the pyroxene is ~30. The meteorite is a brecciated eucrite.



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