Sample Petrographic Description
Sample Number | QUE 94321 |
Newsletter | 19,1 |
Location | Queen Alexandra Range |
Field Number | 10850 |
Dimensions (cm) | 1.0 x 0.8 x 0.5 |
Weight (g) | 1.34 |
Original Classification | EL3 Chondrite |
Pairing | QUE 93351; QUE 94321; QUE 94594; |
Mineral Composition (%Fa & %Fs) | |
Fayalite (mol%): 0-1;Ferrosilite (mol%): 0-2 | |
Weathering | |
B/C | |
Fracturing | |
A | |
Macroscopic Description - Cecilia Satterwhite | |
Weathered, iridescent, brown-black fusion crust covers 75-100% of both of these chondrites. Interior is black with some inclusions and metal visible despite the heavily oxidized interior. | |
Thin Section Description (,2) - Brian Mason | |
The sections of QUE94321 and 94594 are so similar, one description should suffice. The section shows an aggregate of chondrules and chondrule fragments, up to 0.9 mm across, and mineral grains in a moderate amount of dark matrix. The chondrules and mineral grains consist almost entirely of pyroxene; one chondrule consists of subhedral olivine grains. The matrix contains a minor amount of finely granular sulfides and a little nickel-iron. Weathering is extensive, with veinlets and patches of brown limonite throughout the section. Microprobe analyses show that most of the pyroxene is close to MgSiO3 in composition, but a few more iron-rich grains were analysed; olivine composition is essentially pure Mg2SiO4. The nickel-iron contains 0.8% Si. One grain of yagiite was analysed. The meteorite is classified as an EL3 chondrite. It is similar to QUE93351, and the possibility of pairing should be considered. |
Antarctic Meteorite Images for Sample QUE 94321 | ||||
Thin Section Photo(s) : | ||||
References for Sample QUE94321 | |
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. | |
Krot, A. N., Mckeegan, K. D., Huss, G. R., Liffman, K., Sahijpal, S., Hutcheon, I. D., Srinivasan, G., Bischoff, A., Keil, K., 2006, Aluminum-Magnesium and Oxygen Isotope Study of Relict Ca-Al-rich Inclusions in Chondrules. ApJ, 639, 1227, http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/498610 . | |
Fagan, T. J., Mckeegan, K. D., Krot, A. N., Keil, K., 2001, Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions in enstatite chondrites (II): Oxygen isotopes. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 36, 223-230. | |
Fagan, T. J., Krot, A. N., Keil, K., 2000, Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions in enstatite chondrites (I): Mineralogy and textures. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 35, 771-781. | |
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. | |
Rubin, A. E., Scott, E. R. D., Keil, K., 1997, Shock metamorphism of enstatite chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 61 Issue 4, Feb-97, 847-858, ISSN 0016-7037, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(96)00364-X. |