Sample Petrographic Description
Sample Number | LEW 88696 |
Newsletter | 15,1 |
Location | Lewis Cliff |
Field Number | 6144 |
Dimensions (cm) | 2.1 x 1.8 x 1.0 |
Weight (g) | 6.03 |
Original Classification | L3 Chondrite |
Updated Classification | L3.7 Chondrite |
Pairing | LEW 88328; LEW 88594; LEW 88621; LEW 88696; LEW 93891; |
Mineral Composition (%Fa & %Fs) | |
Fayalite (mol%): 5-19;Ferrosilite (mol%): 6-19 | |
Weathering | |
B/C | |
Fracturing | |
A | |
Macroscopic Description - Robbie Marlow | |
Ninety percent of LEW88696 is covered with smooth brown fusion crust. Abundant millimeter-sized inclusions are visible in the gray matrix. Oxidation appears as large patches scattered throughout the interior. | |
Thin Section Description (,2) - Brian Mason | |
The section shows numerous chondrules and chondrule fragments, up to 2.4 mm across, in a groundmass of fine-grained olivine and pyroxene with a minor amount of nickel-iron and troilite. Weathering is extensive, with limonitic staining and small areas of red-brown limonite throughout the section. Microprobe analyses show olivine and pyroxene of variable composition: olivine, Fa5-19, mean Fa16 (CV FeO is 28); pyroxene, Fs6-19. The variability of olivine and pyroxene compositions indicates type 3, and the amount of nickel-iron L group, hence the meteorite is classified as an L3 chondrite (estimated L3.7). | |
Reclassification Notes (AMN OUTSIDE) | |
Classification updated to L3.7 in Meteoritical Bulletin 76. | |
Notes | |
Righter et al. (2021) proposed that LEW 88328, LEW 88594, LEW 88621, LEW 88696, LEW 93891 are paired and Type L3.7. |
Antarctic Meteorite Images for Sample LEW 88696 | ||||
Thin Section Photo(s) : | ||||
References for Sample LEW88696 | |
Righter, K., Schutt, J., Lunning, N., Harvey, R, and Karner, J., 2021, Identification and pairing reassessment of unequilibrated ordinary chondrites from four Antarctic dense collection areas. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 56, 1556-1573, doi: 10.1111/maps.13707. |