Enstatite chondrite density, magnetic susceptibility, and porosity

Abstract

Abstract– As part of our continuing survey of meteorite physical properties, we measured grain and bulk density, porosity, and magnetic susceptibility for 41 stones from 23 enstatite chondrites (ECs), all with masses greater than 10 g, representing the majority of falls and a significant percentage of all available non‐Antarctic EC meteorites. Our sampling included a mix of falls and finds. For falls, grain densities range from 3.45 to 4.17 g cm−3, averaging 3.66 g cm−3; bulk densities range from 3.15 to 4.10 g cm−3, averaging 3.55 g cm−3; porosities range from 0 to 12% with the majority less than 7%, and magnetic susceptibilities (in log units of 10−9 m3 kg−1) from 5.30 to 5.64, with an average of 5.47. For finds, weathering reduces both grain and bulk densities as well as magnetic susceptibilities. On average, finds have much higher porosity than falls. The two EC subgroups EH and EL, nominally distinguished by total iron content, exhibit similar values for all of the properties measured, indicating similar metallic iron content in the bulk stones of both subgroups. We also observed considerable intra‐meteorite variation, with inhomogeneities in bulk and grain densities at scales up to approximately 40 g (approximately 12 cm3).