Sample Petrographic Description
Sample Number | LAP 03930 |
Newsletter | 29,1 |
Location | LaPaz Ice Field |
Field Number | 16474 |
Dimensions (cm) | 2.0 x 1.9 x 1.0 |
Weight (g) | 8.78 |
Original Classification | EL3 Chondrite |
Mineral Composition (%Fa & %Fs) | |
Ferrosilite (mol%): 0-17 | |
Weathering | |
B/C | |
Fracturing | |
B | |
Macroscopic Description - Cecilia Satterwhite | |
95% of the exterior has brown/black fusion crust with oxidation halos. The interior is rusty with metal and some dark gray to black areas visible. Weathered mm sized inclusions are visible. | |
Thin Section Description (,2) - Tim McCoy, Valerie Reynolds | |
The section shows an aggregate of chondrules (up to 1 mm), chondrule fragments, and pyroxene grains in a matrix of about 30% metal and sulfide. Chondrules contain small amounts of olivine. Weathering is modest, with staining of some enstatite grains and minor alteration of metal and sulfides. Microprobe analyses show pyroxene is Fs0-17, with most grains Fs0-2. Metal contains ~0.6 wt.% Si. The meteorite is a type 3 enstatite chondrite, probably an EL3. |
Antarctic Meteorite Images for Sample LAP 03930 | ||||
Lab Photo(s) : | ||||
References for Sample LAP03930 | |
Dyar, M.D., Wallace, S.M., Burbine, T.H., and Sheldon, D.R., 2023, A machine learning classification of meteorite spectra applied to understanding asteroids. Icarus, 406, 115718, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115718. | |
Van Niekerk, D., Keil, K., 2011, Metal/sulfide-silicate intergrowth textures in EL3 meteorites: Origin by impact melting on the EL parent body. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 46, 1484-1497, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2011.01244.x. | |
Rubin, A. E., 2010, Physical properties of chondrules in different chondrite groups: Implications for multiple melting events in dusty environments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74 Issue 16, 15-Aug-10, 4807-4828, ISSN 0016-7037, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.05.018. |