The Meteoritical Bulletin,No. 74, 1993 March.*

Abstract— The Meteoritical Bulletin, Number 74, contains listings for 190 meteorites, including 112 from North Africa, 63 from Antarctica and eight from Australia and six from the U.S. Among the meteorites described are 15 type 3 ordinary chondrites, most notably Roosevelt County 075 which is the lowest petrologic type H chondrite known to date, two very similar ureilites (Nova 1 and Nullarbor 010), a howardite (Old Homestead 001), a CK3 chondrite (Camel Donga 003), a CV3 chondrite (Denman 002) and a major new CR chondrite (Acfer 311 and 10 meteorites with which it is paired).     

Light noble gases in 12 meteorites from the Omani desert,Australia, Mauritania,Canada, and Sweden

We measured the concentrations and isotopic compositions of He, Ne, and Ar in 14 fragments from 12 different meteorites: three carbonaceous chondrites, six L chondrites (three most likely paired), one H chondrite, one R chondrite, and one ungrouped chondrite. The data obtained for the CV3 chondrites Ramlat as Sahmah (RaS) 221 and RaS 251 support the hypothesis of exposure age peaks for CV chondrites at approximately 9 Ma and 27 Ma. The exposure age for Shi?r 033 (CR chondrite) of 7.3 Ma is also indicative of a possible CR chondrite exposure age peak. The three L chondrites Jiddat al Harasis (JaH) 091, JaH 230, and JaH 296, which are most likely paired, fall together with Hallingeberg into the L chondrite exposure age peak of approximately 15 Ma. The two L chondrites Shelburne and Lake Torrens fall into the peaks at approximately 40 Ma and 5 Ma, respectively. The ages for Bassikounou (H chondrite) and RaS 201 (R chondrite) are approximately 3.5 Ma and 5.8 Ma, respectively. Six of the studied meteorites show clear evidence for ³He diffusive losses, the deficits range from approximately 17% for one Lake Torrens aliquot to approximately 45% for RaS 211. The three carbonaceous chondrites RaS 221, RaS 251, and Shi?r 033 all have excess ⁴He, either of planetary or solar origin. However, very high ⁴He/²⁰Ne ratios occur at relatively low ²⁰Ne/²²Ne ratios, which is unexpected and needs further study. The measured ⁴⁰Ar ages fit well into established systematics. They are between 2.5 and 4.5 Ga for the carbonaceous chondrites, older than 3.6 Ga for the L and H chondrites, and about 2.4 Ga for the R chondrite as well as for the ungrouped chondrite. Interestingly, none of our studied L chondrites has been degassed in the 470 Ma break‐up event. Using the amount of trapped ³⁶Ar as a proxy for noble gas contamination due to terrestrial weathering we are able to demonstrate that the samples studied here are not or only very slightly affected by terrestrial weathering (at least in terms of their noble gas budget).     

Meteorites from the Nullarbor Region,Western Australia: II. Recovery and classification of 34 new meteorite finds from the Mundrabilla,Forrest, Reid and Deakin areas

Abstract— The discovery of 34 new stony meteorites is reported from those areas of the Nullarbor Region, Western Australia named after Mundrabilla, Forrest, Reid and Deakin sidings on the Trans Australian Railway line. The recoveries include 15 H-, and 15 L-group equilibrated (types 4–6) ordinary chondrites, two distinct H3 chondrites (Mundrabilla 003 and Forrest 003), a genomict H-group chondrite breccia (Reid 011) comprising types 3–6, and one structurally anomalous chondrite (Deakin 001). Seventy-eight distinct meteorites are now known from the region.     

A CENSUS OF THE METEORITES OF ROOSEVELT COUNTY,NEW MEXICO

In the five years from June, 1967, to June, 1972, a total of 99 meteorites were found in Roosevelt County, New Mexico and in adjoining Curry County. Of this number, 74 were found by one man. The finds include two achondrites, one pallasite, one carbonaceous chondrite, and 95 chondrites. They appear to represent more than 50 separate meteorite falls. The finding of a large number of meteorites in a small area provides data for an estimate of the probable quantity and average size of the meteorite specimens reaching the earth. The problems involved in allocating a total of 17 available local place names among more than 50 meteorite falls are discussed.     

Magnetic classification of stony meteorites: 1. Ordinary chondrites

Abstract— We present a database of magnetic susceptibility measurements on 971 ordinary chondrites. It demonstrates that this parameter can be successfully used to characterize and classify ordinary chondrite meteorites. In ordinary chondrites, this rapid and non‐destructive measurement essentially determines the amount of metal in the sample, which occurs in a very narrow range for each chondrite class (though terrestrial weathering can result in a variable decrease in susceptibility, especially in finds). This technique is particularly useful not only for a rapid classification of new meteorites, but also as a check against curation errors in large collections (i.e., unweathered meteorites, the measured susceptibility of which lies outside the expected range, may well be misclassified or misidentified samples). Magnetic remanence, related to magnetic field measurements around asteroids, is also discussed.     

Chemical analyses of meteorites: A compilation of stony and iron meteorite analyses

Abstract— A compilation of the chemical analyses of 241 stony and 36 iron meteorites is presented; 196 analyses were published previously, 81 are new. This compilation includes analyses of new falls, new finds, previously analyzed meteorites, previously analyzed meteorites with suspect values, analyses of separates and inclusions, and analyses of 53 stony and 29 iron meteorites from Antarctica, including one of the “lunar” type. Mean compositions of chondrite falls, finds, and Antarctic chondrites are compared. References are listed for earlier published analyses and an appendix provides an outline of the sampling procedures, sample preparation, and the analytical methods.     

Chemical analyses of meteorites at the Smithsonian Institution: An update

Abstract— Thirteen new meteorites and three meteorite inclusions have been analyzed. Their results have been incorporated into earlier published data for a comprehensive reference to all analyzed meteorites at the Smithsonian Institution. The six tables facilitate a convenient overlook of meteorite data. Table 1 presents an alphabetical list of analyzed meteorites, Table 2 chemical analyses of stony meteorites, Table 3 chemical analyses of iron meteorites, Table 4 elemental composition of stony meteorites, Table 5 average composition of carbonaceous chondrites and achondrites (falls and finds), and Table 6 presents average composition of H, L, LL, and Antarctic chondrites (falls and finds). The tables are available online at the journal's Web site http:meteoritics.org .     

The Meteoritical Bulletin,No. 104

Meteoritical Bulletin 104 contains 2279 meteorites including 12 falls (Annama, Cartersville, Creston, Diepenveen, Famenin, Izarzar, Nkayi, Porangaba, San Juan de Ocotán, Trâpe?ng Rôno?s, Xinglongquan, ?d’ár nad Sázavou), with 1847 ordinary chondrites, 138 carbonaceous chondrites, 128 HED achondrites, 38 lunar meteorites, 24 ureilites, 22 Martian meteorites, 19 iron meteorites, 17 primitive achondrites, 14 enstatite chondrites, 10 mesosiderites, 9 Rumuruti chondrites, 5 pallasites, 4 ungrouped achondrites, 2 enstatite achondrites, 1 ungrouped chondrite, and 1 Kakangari chondrite, and with 996 from Antarctica, 790 from Africa, 337 from Asia, 111 from South America, 30 from North America, 11 from Oceania, and 4 from Europe. Note: 1 meteorite from Russia was counted as European.     

SUMMARY OF SEVERAL RECENT CHONDRITE FINDS FROM THE TEXAS PANHANDLE

Eleven recent chondrite finds from the Texas Panhandle have been examined and classified according to mineralogical and petrological criteria: five H's, five L's, and one LL chondrite. Five are distinct from nearby finds, while three remain ambiguous and three are related to previously reported chondrites. In addition, data are provided to classify the Muleshoe, Silverton, and Vigo Park chondrites, all of which were previously undescribed in the literature.     

YAMATO METEORITES COLLECTED IN ANTARCTICA IN 1969

The meteoritic community has been tantalized by reports of extensive meteorite finds in Antarctica by members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. The National Institute of Polar Research has published this introduction and review of the Yamato meteorites collected in Antarctica in 1969. This welcome review reveals that nine meteorite fragments of meteoritic material were found in the region of the Yamato Mountains. Four pieces greater than 60 g in weight have been identified as an enstatite chondrite, a hypersthene achondrite, a type III carbonaceous chondrite and a bronzite chondrite. In 1973 eleven additional suspected meteorites were recovered. Preliminary results show that three bronzite chondrites and one achondrite are among the new finds. In 1974 over 600 pieces of meteorite-like rock have been collected. The volume contains five articles on the original 1969 material. These include a general discussion on their discovery including photographs of the individuals, and notes on the chemical, mineralogical and petrological characteristics of the four large samples. Two articles deal with detailed mineralogic and magnetic properties of these specimens. Information on these interesting finds is welcome. Information on the 1969 and 1974 material is anxiously awaited.     

Noble gas record,collisional history,and pairing of CV,CO, CK,and other carbonaceous chondrites

Abstract— Concentration and isotopic composition of the light noble gases as well as of ⁸⁴Kr, ¹²⁹Xe, and ¹³²Xe have been measured in bulk samples of 60 carbonaceous chondrites; 45 were measured for the first time. Solar noble gases were found in nine specimens (Arch, Acfer 094, Dar al Gani 056, Graves Nunataks 95229, Grosnaja, Isna, Mt. Prestrud 95404, Yamato (Y) 86009, and Y 86751). These meteorites are thus regolith breccias. The CV and CO chondrites contain abundant planetary‐type noble gases, but not CK chondrites. Characteristic features of CK chondrites are high ¹²⁹Xe/¹³²Xe ratios. The petrologic type of carbonaceous chondrites is correlated with the concentration of trapped heavy noble gases, similar to observations shown for ordinary chondrites. However, this correlation is disturbed for several meteorites due to a contribution of atmospheric noble gases, an effect correlated to terrestrial weathering effects. Cosmic‐ray exposure ages are calculated from cosmogenic ²¹Ne. They range from about 1 to 63.5 Ma for CO, CV, and CK classes, which is longer than exposure ages reported for CM and CI chondrites. Only the CO3 chondrite Isna has an exceptionally low exposure age of 0.15 Ma. No dominant clusters are observed in the cosmic‐ray exposure age distribution; only for CV and CK chondrites do potential peaks seem to develop at ～9 and ～29 Ma. Several pairings among the chondrites from hot deserts are suggested, but 52 of the 60 investigated meteorites are individual falls. In general, we confirm the results of Mazor et al. (1970) regarding cosmic‐ray exposure and trapped heavy noble gases. With this study, a considerable number of new carbonaceous chondrites were added to the noble gas data base, but this is still not sufficient to obtain a clear picture of the collisional history of the carbonaceous chondrite groups. Obviously, the exposure histories of CI and CM chondrites differ from those of CV, CO, and CK chondrites that have much longer exposure ages. The close relationship among the latter three is also evident from the similar cosmic‐ray exposure age patterns that do not reveal a clear picture of major breakup events. The CK chondrites, however, with their wide range of petrologic types, form the only carbonaceous chondrite group which so far lacks a solar‐gas‐bearing regolith breccia. The CK chondrites contain only minute amounts of trapped noble gases and their noble gas fingerprint is thus distinguishable from the other groups. In the future, more analyses of newly collected CK chondrites are needed to unravel the genetic and historic evolution of this group. It is also evident that the problems of weathering and pairing have to be considered when noble gas data of carbonaceous chondrite are interpreted.     

Mineralogy and chemistry of Rumuruti: The first meteorite fall of the new R chondrite group

Abstract— The Rumuruti meteorite shower fell in Rumuruti, Kenya, on 1934 January 28 at 10:43 p.m. Rumuruti is an olivine-rich chondritic breccia with light-dark structure. Based on the coexistence of highly recrystallized fragments and unequilibrated components, Rumuruti is classified as a type 3–6 chondrite breccia. The most abundant phase of Rumuruti is olivine (mostly Fa_～39) with about 70 vol%. Feldspar (～14 vol%; mainly plagioclase), Ca-pyroxene (5 vol%), pyrrhotite (4.4 vol%), and pentlandite (3.6 vol%) are major constituents. All other phases have abundances below 1 vol%, including low-Ca pyroxene, chrome spinels, phosphates (chlorapatite and whitlockite), chalcopyrite, ilmenite, tridymite, Ni-rich and Ge-containing metals, kamacite, and various particles enriched in noble metals like Pt, Ir, arid Au. The chemical composition of Rumuruti is chondritic. The depletion in refractory elements (Sc, REE, etc.) and the comparatively high Mn, Na, and K contents are characteristic of ordinary chondrites and distinguish Rumuruti from carbonaceous chondrites. However, S, Se, and Zn contents in Rumuruti are significantly above the level expected for ordinary chondrites. The oxygen isotope composition of Rumuruti is high in δ¹⁷O (5.52 ‰) and δ¹⁸O (5.07 ‰). Previously, a small number of chondritic meteorites with strong similarities to Rumuruti were described. They were called Carlisle Lakes-type chondrites and they comprise: Carlisle Lakes, ALH85151, Y-75302, Y-793575, Y-82002, Acfer 217, PCA91002, and PCA91241, as well as clasts in the Weatherford chondrite. All these meteorites are finds from hot and cold deserts having experienced various degrees of weathering. With Rumuruti, the first meteorite fall has been recognized that preserves the primary mineralogical and chemical characteristics of a new group of meteorites. Comparing all chondrites, the characteristic features can be summarized as follows: (a) basically chondritic chemistry with ordinary chondrite element patterns of refractory and moderately volatile lithophiles but higher abundances of S, Se, and Zn; (b) high degree of oxidation (37–41 mol% Fa in olivine, only traces of Fe, Ni-metals, occurrence of chalcopyrite); (c) exceptionally high Δ¹⁷O values of about 2.7 for bulk samples; (d) high modal abundance of olivine (～70 vol%); (e) Ti-Fe³⁺?rich chromite (～5.5 wt% TiO₂); (f) occurrence of various noble metal-rich particles; (g) abundant chondritic breccias consisting of equilibrated clasts and unequilibrated lithologies. With Rumuruti, nine meteorite samples exist that are chemically and mineralogically very similar. These meteorites are attributed to at least eight different fall events. It is proposed in this paper to call this group R chondrites (rumurutiites) after the first and only fall among these meteorites. These meteorites have a close relationship to ordinary chondrites. However, they are more oxidized than any of the existing groups of ordinary chondrites. Small, but significant differences in chemical composition and in oxygen isotopes between R chondrites and ordinary chondrites exclude formation of R chondrites from ordinary chondrites by oxidation. This implies a separate, independent R chondrite parent body.     

Carbonaceous chondrite clasts in the howardites Bholghati and EET87513

Abstract— Twenty-two carbonaceous chondrite clasts from the two howardites Bholghati and EET87513 were analyzed. Clast N from EET87513 is a fragment classified as CM2 material on the basis of texture, bulk composition, mineralogy, and bulk O isotopic composition. Carbonaceous chondrite clasts from Bholghati, for which less data are available because of their small size, can be divided into two petrologic types: C1 and C2. C1 clasts are composed of opaque matrix with rare coarse-grained silicates as individual mineral fragments; textures resemble CI meteorites and some dark inclusions from CR meteorites. Opaque matrix is predominantly composed of flaky saponite; unlike typical CI and CR meteorites, serpentine is absent in the samples we analyzed. C2 clasts contain chondrules, aggregates, and individual fragments of coarse-grained silicates in an opaque matrix principally composed of saponite and anhydrous ferromagnesian silicates with flaky textures similar to phyllosilicates. These anhydrous ferromagnesian silicates are interpreted as the product of heating of pre-existing serpentine. The carbonaceous chondrite clasts we have studied from these two howardites are, with one notable exception (clast N from EET87513), mineralogically distinct from typical carbonaceous chondrites. However, these clasts have very close affinities to carbonaceous chondrites and have also experienced thermal metamorphism and aqueous alteration, but to different degrees.     

The Meteoritical Bulletin,No. 75, 1993 December

Abstract— Meteoritical Bulletin, Number 75 lists 138 new meteorites, including seven falls. Sixty are from North Africa (Acfer, Aguemour, Tanezrouft), and 53 are from Frontier Mountain, Antarctica. There are three achondrites (Caldera, a eucrite, and the brachinites Nova 003 and Reid 013), four carbonaceous chondrites (Acfer 289, CR2, Mundrabilla 012, CV2?, Nova 002, CV3, and Watson 002, the second known CK3), one enstatite chondrite (Acfer 287). Also noteworthy is Rumuruti, the first Carlisle-Lakes-like chondrite observed fall, which fell in 1934.     

A database of chondrite analyses including platinum group elements,Ni, Co,Au, and Cr: Implications for the identification of chondritic projectiles

Abstract— Siderophile elements have been used to constrain projectile compositions in terrestrial and lunar impact melt rocks. To obtain a better knowledge of compositional differences between potential chondritic projectile types, meteorite analyses of the elements Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Cr, Co, Ni, and Au were gathered into a database. The presented compilation comprises 806 analyses of 278 chondrites including new ICP‐MS analyses of Allende and two ordinary chondrites. Each data set was evaluated by comparing element ratios of meteorites from the same chondrite group. Characteristic element abundances and ratios were determined for each group. Features observed in the element abundance patterns can be linked directly to the presence of certain components, such as the abundance of refractory elements Os, Ir, and Ru correlating with the occurrence of refractory inclusions in CV, CO, CK, and CM chondrites. The refined characteristic element ratios appear to be representative not only for meteorites, but also for related asteroidal bodies. Chondrite element ratios were compared to previously published values from impact melt rocks of the Popigai and Morokweng impact structures confirming that an identification of the specific type of projectile (L and LL chondrite, respectively) is possible. The assessment for Morokweng is supported by the recent discovery of an LL chondrite fragment in the impact melt rocks. Ultimately, the database provides valuable information for understanding processes in the solar nebula as they are recorded in chondrites. A new type of complementarity between element patterns of CK and EH chondrites is suggested to be the result of condensation, redox, and transportation processes in the solar nebula.     

Ar‐Ar ages and thermal histories of enstatite meteorites

Abstract– Compared with ordinary chondrites, there is a relative paucity of chronological and other data to define the early thermal histories of enstatite parent bodies. In this study, we report ³⁹Ar‐⁴⁰Ar dating results for five EL chondrites: Khairpur, Pillistfer, Hvittis, Blithfield, and Forrest; five EH chondrites: Parsa, Saint Marks, Indarch, Bethune, and Reckling Peak 80259; three igneous‐textured enstatite meteorites that represent impact melts on enstatite chondrite parent bodies: Zaklodzie, Queen Alexandra Range 97348, and Queen Alexandra Range 97289; and three aubrites, Norton County, Bishopville, and Cumberland Falls Several Ar‐Ar age spectra show unusual ³⁹Ar recoil effects, possibly the result of some of the K residing in unusual sulfide minerals, such as djerfisherite and rodderite, and other age spectra show ⁴⁰Ar diffusion loss. Few additional Ar‐Ar ages for enstatite meteorites are available in the literature. When all available Ar‐Ar data on enstatite meteorites are considered, preferred ages of nine chondrites and one aubrite show a range of 4.50–4.54 Ga, whereas five other meteorites show only lower age limits over 4.35–4.46 Ga. Ar‐Ar ages of several enstatite chondrites are as old or older as the oldest Ar‐Ar ages of ordinary chondrites, which suggests that enstatite chondrites may have derived from somewhat smaller parent bodies, or were metamorphosed to lower temperatures compared to other chondrite types. Many enstatite meteorites are brecciated and/or shocked, and some of the younger Ar‐Ar ages may record these impact events. Although impact heating of ordinary chondrites within the last 1 Ga is relatively common for ordinary chondrites, only Bethune gives any significant evidence for such a young event.     

Density,magnetic susceptibility,and the characterization of ordinary chondrite falls and showers

Abstract— Bulk and grain densities of 132 ordinary chondrites from the Vatican Observatory collection were measured and compared with their magnetic susceptibility (for the most part using previously measured values; ten new susceptibility measures were taken for this study). Grain density and magnetic susceptibility combined provide a reliable method of classifying unweathered ordinary chondrites. Unlike traditional chemical tests, this method is fast, nondestructive, and characterizes the whole rock, making it especially appropriate for surveying large collections. The system is less viable for finds; extensive weathering of metallic iron in an H chondrite can cause it to plot among L chondrites, while heavily weathered L chondrites plot among the LL group. This system has revealed outlier stones that may be misclassified meteorites or mislabeled samples; in every case where the magnetic susceptibility of a meteorite does not fit its putative classification, the grain density is also found to be in disagreement in a manner consistent with either severe weathering or misidentification. An analysis of stones from five showers shows that, excluding outliers, these samples tend to cluster tightly within their appropriate groups in a plot of grain versus magnetic susceptibility.     

Black ordinary chondrites: An analysis of abundance and fall frequency

Abstract— Black ordinary chondrite meteorites sample the spectral effects of shock on ordinary chondrite material in the space environment. Since shock is an important regolith process, these meteorites may provide insight into the spectral properties of the regoliths on ordinary chondrite parent bodies. To determine how common black chondrites are in the meteorite collection and, by analogy, the frequency of shock-alteration in ordinary chondrites, several of the world's major meteorite collections were examined to identify black chondrites. Over 80% of all catalogued ordinary chondrites were examined and, using an optical definition, 61 black chondrites were identified. Black chondrites account for approximately 13.7% of ordinary chondrite falls. If the optically altered gas-rich ordinary chondrites are included, the proportion of falls that exhibit some form of altered spectral properties increases to 16.7%. This suggests that optical alteration of asteroidal material in the space environment is a relatively common process.     

Sulfur and selenium in chondritic meteorites

Abstract— We report here new analyses of S and Se in carbonaceous chondrites (2 CIs, 11 CMs, 6 CO3s, 7 CV3s, 2 C4s, 4 CRs, and 1 CH), 2 rumurutiites, ordinary chondrites (2 Hs, 2 Ls, and 1 LL), 3 anomalous chondrites, 3 acapulcoites, 3 lodranites, and in silicate inclusions of the Landes IAB iron meteorite. To avoid problems from inhomogeneous distribution of sulfides, the same samples that had been analysed for Se by INAA were analysed for S using a Leybold Heraeus Carbon and Sulfur Analyser (CSA 2002). With the measured CI contents of 5.41% S and 21.4 ppm Se a CI S/Se ratio of 2540 is obtained. A nearly identical S/Se ratio of 2560 ± 150 is found for carbonaceous chondrites (average of falls). The average ratio of all meteorite falls analysed in this study was 2500 ± 270. These data suggest that the new S content of Orgueil with 5.41% provides a reliable estimate for the average Solar System. The new solar system abundance of S of 4.62 × 10⁵ (atoms/10⁶ Si) is in good agreement with the solar photospheric abundance of 7.21 (log (a(H)) = E12) (Anders and Grevesse, 1989). Among the 50 analysed meteorites, 24 were finds from hot (Australia, Africa) and cold (Antarctica) deserts. Weathering effects in the carbonaceous chondrites and in one lodranite from the hot deserts resulted in losses of S, Se, Na and occasionally Ni. Sulfur is apparently more affected by weathering than Se. No losses were observed in ordinary chondrite finds and in meteorites collected in the Antarctica, except for the obvious loss of Na in the CM-chondrite Y 74662. The low S-content of 0.096% in Gibson, a lodranite, is probably not representative of this group of meteorites. Gibson is a find from the Australian desert and has lost S and also Se by weathering. Two other lodranites, finds from Antarctica, have about 2% S.     

Meteorites from Mongolia

Abstract— The mineralogy and composition of six Mongolian meteorites were studied in some detail. Previously, only limited information existed about these rocks, and some were still unclassified. The six meteorites include three ordinary chondrites and three irons. The ordinary chondrite Adzhi-Bogdo (stone) is a regolith breccia (LL3–6) containing various types of clasts (some of foreign origin) embedded within a fine-grained clastic matrix. Tugalin Bulen (H6) and Noyan Bogdo (L6) meteorites are typical, well-metamorphosed ordinary chondrites. Adzhi-Bogdo (iron) has to be regarded as an IA iron meteorite like Campo del Cielo or Canyon Diablo; although the sample studied had been heated to about 900 °C–950 °C some time in the past, thus eradicating all original structural elements. Manlai is structurally closely related to the IIC iron meteorites; but based on its chemistry, which does not fit into this group, it is suggested that Manlai is an anomalous iron meteorite. The third iron, Sargiin Gobi, is certainly a normal member of the IA iron meteorites. The concentrations and isotopic compositions of He, Ne, and Ar were measured for all meteorites and their gas retention ages and exposure ages are discussed.