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13,3 |
Location |
Lewis Cliff |
Field Number |
6045 |
Dimensions (cm) |
3.0 x 2.0 x 1.7 |
Weight (g) |
13.49 |
Original Classification |
L3 Chondrite |
Updated Classification |
L3.15 Chondrite |
Pairing |
LEW 85434;
LEW 85437;
LEW 87248;
LEW 87284;
LEW 88254;
LEW 88462;
|
Fayalite (mol%): 1-30;Ferrosilite (mol%): 1-22 |
B/C |
A |
Black fusion crust covers most of these 3 specimens. LEW88263 has one fracture surface. The interior matrix of all three specimens is dark gray to black with abundant 1-3 mm sized chondrules/inclusions. Weathering is moderate. |
These meteorites are so similar that a single description will suffice; the possibility of pairing should be considered. They are highly chondritic, with chondrules ranging up to 2.9 mm across. The chondrules are rimmed with dark matrix, which contains a small amount of nickel-iron and troilite. Most of the chondrules are granular or porphyritic olivine and olivine-pyroxene, but radiating and cryptocrystalline pyroxene chondrules were noted; transparent brown glass was seen in one chondrule. Microprobe analyses show olivine and pyroxene of variable composition: olivine, Fa1-41, mean Fa16 (CV FeO is 54); pyroxene, Fs1-23. The small amount of nickel-iron suggests L group, and the variability of olivine and pyroxene compositions type 3, hence these meteorites are classified as L3 chondrites (estimated L3.4). |
Reclassified as an L3.15 Chondrite based on Cr contents of Type II chondrule olivine. Pairing groups adjusted based on olivine composition and recovery location. Righter, K., Schutt, J., Lunning, N., Harvey, R., & Karner, J. (2021a) Identification and pairing reassessment of unequilibrated ordinary chondrites from four Antarctic dense collection areas. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 56, 1556-1578. |
Righter et al. (2021) proposed that LEW 85434, LEW 85437, LEW 87248, LEW 87284, LEW 88254, and LEW 88462 are all paired and type L3.15. |