Antarctic Meteorite Petrographic Description

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Sample Petrographic Description

Sample Number

LON 94102

Newsletter

18,2

Location

Lonewolf Nunataks

Field Number

7658,7671

Dimensions (cm)

10.0 x 10.5 x 4.5

Weight (g)

941.55

Original Classification

C2 Chondrite

Updated Classification

CM2 Chondrite

Pairing

LON 94101; LON 94102;

Mineral Composition (%Fa & %Fs)

Fayalite (mol%): 1-41;Ferrosilite (mol%): 1-3

Weathering

Fracturing

B/C

Macroscopic Description - Kathleen McBride

LON94102 consists of one large fragment and one small piece that do not fit together but are definitely pieces of the same carbonaceous chondrite. Approximately 5% of the dull, pitted fusion crust remains on this specimen. The exterior matrix is black and contains numerous small white angular inclusions. Small areas have oxidized to a red-brown color. Fractures that penetrate the interior are numerous. Slickenside-like features are visible on the surface. Evaporite deposit is present. The sample is friable and easily crumbled when trying to obtain a chip for thin sections.

Thin Section Description (,11) - Brian Mason

The section shows a few chondrules, up to 0.6 mm across, some irregular aggregates, and numerous small mineral grains in a black matrix. The mineral grains are almost entirely olivine, near Mg₂SiO₄ in composition, with a few iron-rich grains. A small amount of pyroxene, near MgSiO₃ in composition, is present. The matrix consists largely of iron-rich serpentine. The meteorite is a C2 chondrite. It is very similar to LON94101, and the possibility of pairing should be considered.

Reclassification Notes (AMN 33,1)

Many carbonaceous chondrites were initially classified as C2 in early newsletters. These are mostly CM2, based on matrix properties, chondrules abundance and sizes, and therefore all these samples have been reclassified more specifically here as CM2.

Astromaterials 3D Link(s)

https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/astromaterials3d/sample-details.htm?sample=LON94102-37

Antarctic Meteorite Images for Sample LON 94102

Lab Photo(s) :

Lab Photo of Sample LON 94102 Displaying Bottom Orientation

Lab Photo of Sample LON 94102 Displaying North Orientation

Lab Photo of Sample LON 94102 Displaying South Orientation

Lab Photo of Sample LON 94102 Displaying Top Orientation

Lab Photo of Sample LON 94102 Displaying West Orientation

Antarctic Meteorite Images for Sample LON 94102

Thin Section Photo(s) :

Thin Section Photo of Sample LON 94102 in Cross-Polarized Light

Thin Section Photo of Sample LON 94102 in Reflected Light

Thin Section Photograph of Sample LON 94102 in Plane-Polarized Light

References for Sample LON94102

Krietsch, D., Busemann, H., Riebe, M.E.I., King, A.J., Alexander, C.M.O’D., Maden, C., 2021, Noble gases in CM carbonaceous chondrites: Effect of parent body aqueous and thermal alteration and cosmic ray exposure ages. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 310, 240–280, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2021.05.050.

Simkus, D. N., Aponte, J. C., Elsila, J. E., Parker, E. T., Glavin, D. P., & Dworkin, J. P., 2019, Methodologies for Analyzing Soluble Organic Compounds in Extraterrestrial Samples: Amino Acids, Amines, Monocarboxylic Acids, Aldehydes, and Ketones. Life, 9, 47.

Smith, K. E., House, C. H., Arevalo, R. D., Dworkin, J. P., & Callahan, M. P., 2019, Organometallic compounds as carriers of extraterrestrial cyanide in primitive meteorites. Nature Communications, 10(1), 2777.

Braukmüller, N., Wombacher, F., Hezel, D. C., Escoube, R., & Münker, C., 2018, The chemical composition of carbonaceous chondrites: Implications for volatile element depletion, complementarity and alteration. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 239, 17-48.

Righter, K., Satterwhite, C.E., McBride, K.M., Corrigan, C.M., Welzenbach, L.C., 2015, Curation and Allocation of Samples in the U.S. Antarctic Meteorite Collection. In Righter, K., Corrigan, C.M., McCoy, T.J., and Harvey, R.P. Meteorites: A Pictorial Guide to the Collection, First Edition, AGU Wiley, pp. 43-63.

Alexander, C. M. O'D., Bowden, R., Fogel, M. L., Howard, K. T., 2015, Carbonate abundances and isotopic compositions in chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 50, 810-833, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maps.12410.

Howard, K. T., Alexander, C. M. O'D., Schrader, D. L., Dyl, K. A., 2015, Classification of hydrous meteorites (CR, CM and C2 ungrouped) by phyllosilicate fraction: PSD-XRD modal mineralogy and planetesimal environments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 149, 15-Jan-15, 206-222, ISSN 0016-7037, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.10.025.

Alexander, C.O'D. M. O, Bowden,. R., Fogel, M. L., Howard, K. T., Herd, C. D. K., Nittler, L. R., 2012, The provenances of asteroids, and their contributions to the volatile inventories of the terrestrial planets. Science, 337(6095), 2012, 721-723.

Callahan, M. P., Smith, K. E., Cleaves Ii, H. J., Ruzicka, J., Stern, J. C., Glavin, D. P., House, C. H., Dworkin, J. P., 2011, Carbonaceous meteorites contain a wide range of extraterrestrial nucleobases. PNAS, 108 (34), 2011, 13995-13998, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1106493108.

Alexander, C. M., Newsome, S. D., Fogel, M. L., Nittler, L. R, Busemann, H., Cody, G. D., 2010, Deuterium enrichments in chondritic macromolecular material-Implications for the origin and evolution of organics, water and asteroids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74(15), 2010, 4417-4437.

Glavin, D. P., Callahan, M. P., Dworkin, J. P., Elsila, J. E., 2010, The effects of parent body processes on amino acids in carbonaceous chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 45, 1948-1972, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2010.01132.x.

Glavin, D. P., Dworkin, J. P., 2009, Enrichment of the amino acid L-isovaline by aqueous alteration on CI and CM meteorite parent bodies. PNAS, 106 (14), 2009, 5487-5492, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0811618106.

Benoit, P. H., Sears, D. W. G., Akridge, J. M. C., Bland, P. A., Berry, F. J., Pillinger, C. T., 2000, The non-trivial problem of meteorite pairing. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 35, 393-417.

Antarctic Meteorite Petrographic Description

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