Cumberland Falls chondritic inclusions: III. Consortium study of relationship to inclusions in Allan Hills 78113 aubrite

Abstract

We describe the mineralogy and report contents of Ag, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, U and Zn determined by RNAA in three primitive chondritic inclusions from the ALH A78113 aubrite. Comparison of these data with those for large, petrologic type 3 chondritic clasts from the Cumberland Falls aubrite and the discovery of small clasts in it like those in ALH A78113 indicate that all constitute a single chondritic suite. We also report thermoluminescence data for Cumberland Falls chondritic inclusions and achondritic host. These results, together with mineralogie, major, minor and trace element information, demonstrate that aubrite inclusions represent a different sort of type 3 chondrite, not an LL3 chondrite altered during equilibration with aubrite host. Instead, the aubrite inclusions represent a distinct chondrite class. These inclusions reflect nebular condensation/accretion over a broad redox range and at temperatures relatively high compared with those at which other type 3 chondrites formed. Limited metamorphism and reduction occurred during condensation/accretion, prior to incorporation into aubrite host. During the impact of the chondritic parent body with the aubrite parent body, chondrite fragments were strongly shocked and cooled rapidly. They then mixed with aubrite host, possibly in a regolith, so that these aubrites now represent impact breccias.