Carbonaceous Chondrite Clasts Research Articles

Petrology and oxygen isotopic compositions of clasts in HED polymict breccia NWA 5232

Northwest Africa (NWA) 5232, an 18.5 kg polymict eucrite, comprises eucritic and exogenic CM carbonaceous chondrite clasts within a clastic matrix. Basaltic clasts are the most abundant eucritic clast type and show a range of textures and grain size, from subophitic to granoblastic. Other eucritic clast types present include cumulate (high-En pyroxene), pyroxene-lath, olivine rich with symplectite intergrowths as a break-down product of a quickly cooled Fe-rich metastable pyroxferroite, and breccia (fragments of a previously consolidated breccia) clasts. A variable cooling rate and degree of thermal metamorphism, followed by a complex brecciation history, can be inferred for the clasts based on clast rounding, crystallization (and recrystallization) textures, pyroxene major and minor element compositions, and pyroxene exsolution. The range in δ18O of clasts and matrix of NWA 5232 reflects its origin as a breccia of mixed clasts dominated by eucritic lithologies. The oxygen isotopic compositions of the carbonaceous chondrite clasts identify them as belonging to CM group and indicate that these clasts experienced a low degree of aqueous alteration while part of their parent body. The complex evolutionary history of NWA 5232 implies that large-scale impact excavation and mixing was an active process on the surface of the HED parent body, likely 4 Vesta.

Siderophile elements in brecciated HED meteorites and the nature of projectile materials in HED meteorites

Petrological, mineralogical and geochemical studies were performed on five brecciated HED meteorites (ALH 76005, EET 92003, LEW 85300, LEW 87026 and GRO 95633) in order to elucidate the nature of impactors on the HED parent body. Some brecciated HED meteorites contain exotic materials such as FeNi-metal grains with low Co/Ni ratios (ALH 76005, EET 92003 and GRO 95633) and carbonaceous chondrite clasts (LEW 85300) in a clastic and/or impact melt matrix. Such exotic materials were incorporated during brecciation. Platinum group element (PGE) abundances vary significantly (CI × 0.002–0.05), but are higher than those of pristine rocks from the HED parent body. The PGE ratios for the five HED meteorites are inconsistent with each other, implying that the impactor components of each HED meteorites are different from each other. The various PGE ratios are consistent with those for metals from chondrites and iron meteorites, and carbonaceous chondrites. This study provides the evidence that IAB and IVA iron meteorites, and carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CO, CV, CK, CB and CR), ordinary chondrites (L and H) and enstatite chondrite (EL) are candidates of the impactor materials on the HED parent body. It is highly probable that significant amounts of siderophile elements were incorporated into the inner solar system objects like the HED parent body from both chondritic materials and differentiated materials like iron meteorites during heavy bombardment. The HED meteorites in this study and metals from mesosiderite have different Pd/Ir ratios, probably implying that HED meteorites and mesosiderites formed either at distinct settings on one common parent body or on similar parent bodies.

Magnetic anisotropy of HED and Martian meteorites and implications for the crust of Vesta and Mars

We investigate the petrofabric of crustal rocks from Mars and Vesta through the measurement of the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of achondrites. Previous data are integrated with new measurements to obtain a dataset that provide macroscopic information about the magnetic fabric of 41 meteorites of the howardite–eucrite–diogenite clan (HED, falls only) and 16 Martian meteorites. The interpretation takes into account the large contribution of paramagnetism to the magnetic susceptibility of these meteorites. We use a model that allows the computation of the anisotropy degree of the population of ferromagnetic grains and provides a quantitative proxy for the degree of shape preferential orientation of these grains in HED and Martian meteorites. The results also provide quantitative information about the shape of the magnetic fabric (prolate, oblate). In HED achondrites, the ductile FeNi grains are sensitive strain recorders and our magnetic fabric data provide the first quantitative insights to the strain history of the crustal rocks of Vesta. Most HED achondrites are breccias but display a strong and spatially coherent magnetic anisotropy, indicating that intense deformation of FeNi grains took place after brecciation. The average fabric of eucrites, howardites is oblate (i.e. the texture is foliated) whereas the fabric of diogenites is more neutral. The howardite results suggest the existence of an isotropic fraction of ferromagnetic minerals that can be ascribed to the presence of carbonaceous chondrite clasts that have preserved their original magnetic fabric. In this hypothesis, howardites have an intensity of petrofabric very similar to eucrites and diogenites. Thermal metamorphism (itself possibly impact-related) plus lithostatic compaction occurring after brecciation appears as the best candidate to explain the observed petrofabric in eucrites and diogenites, whereas compaction by hypervelocity impacts may be reponsible for the fabric of howardites. Martian meteorites may still possess their primary magmatic fabric. Among Martian meteorites, basaltic shergottites and nakhlites display an oblate fabric (foliated texture) with only limited variations among each group. Olivine–phyric shergottites have a neutral fabric that points to a different petrogenesis. Nakhlites have weaker fabric intensity than shergottites. The fabric intensity is comparable to what is classically observed in terrestrial volcanic and plutonic rocks.

Mineralogy of carbonaceous chondrite clasts in H chondrite regolith breccias and the comparison with those of the clasts in howardites and micrometeorites

Mineralogy of carbonaceous chondrite clasts in H chondrite regolith breccias and the comparison with those of the clasts in howardites and micrometeorites

Infrared spectroscopic taxonomy for carbonaceous chondrites from speciation of hydrous components

Abstract— Mid‐infrared absorption spectra for all types of carbonaceous chondrites were obtained in this study to establish a versatile method for spectroscopic classification of carbonaceous chondrites. Infrared spectra were measured using a conventional KBr pellet method and diamond press method. Spectra of hydrous carbonaceous chondrites exhibit intense O‐H stretching vibrations. CI chondrites are identifiable by a characteristic sharp absorption band appearing at 3685 cm−1, which is mainly attributable to serpentine. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of serpentine. However, Yamato (Y‐) 82162 (C1) does not have the band at 3685 cm−1 because of its thermal metamorphism. CM and CR chondrites have an intense absorption band at approximately 3600 cm−1. This absorption tends to appear in CM chondrites more strongly than CR chondrites because the intensity ratios of an OH stretching mode at 3520 cm−1 compared to 3400 cm−1 for CM chondrites are in the range of 0.95–1.04, which is systematically higher than those of CR chondrites (0.86–0.88). Therefore, the two types of chondrites are distinguishable by their respective infrared spectra. The spectrum feature of the Tagish Lake meteorite is attributable to neither CI nor CM chondrites. CO chondrites are characterized by weak and broad absorption at 3400 cm−1. CV chondrites have weak or negligible absorption of water. CK chondrites also have no water‐induced absorption. CH and CB chondrites have a sharp absorption at 3692 cm−1 indicating the presence of chrysotile, which is also supported by observations of X‐ray diffraction and TEM. The combination of spectroscopic classification and the diamond press method allows classification of carbonaceous chondrites of very valuable samples with small quantities. As one example, carbonaceous chondrite clasts in brecciated meteorites were classified using our technique. Infrared spectra for a fragment of carbonaceous clasts (<1 μg) separated from Willard (b) and Tsukuba were measured. The 3685 cm−1 band found in CI chondrites was clearly detected in the clasts, indicating that they are CI‐like clasts.

The Kapoeta howardite: Implications for the regolith evolution of the howardite‐eucrite‐diogenite parent body

Abstract— A large hand sample and numerous polished thin sections, made from the hand sample, of the Kapoeta howardite and its many diverse lithic clasts were studied in detail by optical microscopy and electron microprobe techniques in an attempt to understand the surface processes that operated on the howardite‐eucrite‐diogenite (HED) parent body (most likely the asteroid 4 Vesta). Four unique, unusually large clasts, designated A (mafic breccia), B (granoblastic eucrite), D (howardite) and H (melt‐coated breccia), were selected for detailed study (modal analysis, mineral microprobe analysis, and noble gas measurements). Petrographic studies reveal that Kapoeta consists of a fine‐grained matrix made mostly of minute pyroxene and plagioclase fragments, into which are embedded numerous different lithic and mineral clasts of highly variable sizes. The lithic clasts include pyroxene‐plagioclase (eucrite), orthopyroxenite (diogenite), howardite, impact‐melt, metal‐sulfide‐rich, and carbonaceous chondrite clasts. The howardite clasts include examples of lithic clasts that constitute breccias‐within‐breccias, suggesting that at least two regolith generations are represented in the Kapoeta sample we studied. The clast assemblage suggests that repeated shock lithification was an important process during regolith evolution. Noble gas analyses of clast samples fall into two populations: (a) solar‐gas‐rich clasts H (rim only) and D and (b) clasts A and B, which are essentially free of solar gases. The concentrations of solar noble gases in the two matrix samples differ by a factor of ∼40. It appears that clast D is a true regolith breccia within the Kapoeta howardite (breccia‐within‐breccia), while clast H is a regolith breccia that has been significantly impact reworked. Our data indicate that the Kapoeta howardite is an extraordinarily heterogeneous rock in modal mineral and lithic clast abundances, grain size distributions, solar‐wind noble gas concentrations and cosmic‐ray exposure ages. These results illustrate the repetitive nature of impact comminution and lithification in the regolith of the HED parent body.

Fractionated sulfur isotopes in sulfides of the Kaidun meteorite

Abstract— The Kaidun meteorite contains carbonaceous chondrite (CM1) clasts that have been highly altered by reactions with hydrothermal fluids. Pyrrhotite in these clasts occurs as unusual needles wrapped by sheaths of phyllosilicate, and pentlandite forms veins that crosscut aggregates of phyllosilicate and garnet but not pyrrhotite. The isotopic compositions of S (δ34SCDT) in individual sulfide grains, measured by ion micro‐probe, are fractionated compared to troilite in ordinary chondrites. The S in Kaidun sulfides is isotopically light (as much as −4.2% for pyrrhotite and −5.7%0 for pentlandite), unlike sulfides in other carbonaceous chondrites, which are enriched in 34S. The unusual S‐isotopic composition of these texturally unique sulfides supports the hypothesis that Kaidun CM1 clasts were pervasively altered under extreme thermal conditions, possibly by fluids that had lost isotopically heavy SO2.

The Kaidun meteorite: Mineralogy of an unusual CM1 lithology

Abstract Kaidun is a breccia of disparate enstatite and carbonaceous chondrite clasts that continues to provide real surprises. Many Kaidun clasts have been intensely altered by aqueous fluids, as evidenced by the widespread occurrence of ferromagnesian phyllosilicates and by the presence of carbonate‐ and phyllo‐silicate‐filled veins. In this report, we describe an unusual CM lithology containing many mineralogical features not previously reported from any meteorite, including pyrrhotite, with exclusive needlelike morphologies and thick mantles of phyllosilicate, and complex aggregates of phyllosilicate, melanite garnet, crosscut by pentlandite veins. The latter features appear to be due in large part to extensive hydrothermal alteration at temperatures on the order of 450 °C, which is significantly higher than that attained during secondary processing from other known CM material.

Mineralogy of carbonaceous chondrite clasts in HED achondrites and the Moon

Abstract The majority of the carbonaceous chondrite clasts found in howardites, eucrites and diogenites are CM2 material, a lesser proportion is CR2 material, and other rare types are present. A single clast that was found on the Moon and called the Bench Crater meteorite is apparently shocked CM1 material. The CM2 clasts are matrix supported mixtures of olivine‐pyroxene‐phyllosilicate‐sulfide bearing aggregates, loose olivines and pyroxenes, sulfides, carbonates, and sinuous spinel‐phyllosilicate‐diopside calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs). Magnetite and metal are rare. Some aggregates have fine‐grained rims of material resembling matrix. The opaque, fine‐grained matrix consists predominantly of serpentine of extremely variable composition and sulfides; tochilinite is occasionally present. The trace element data for one Jodzie clast from this study and the average of similar clasts from Kapoeta support a CM classification; volatiles are depleted relative to CI and enriched relative to CR material.The CR2 clasts are found (in small numbers) in only four howardites: Bholghati, Jodzie, Kapoeta and Y793497. Petrographically, they are matrix‐supported mixtures of olivine aggregates (sometimes containing sulfides), loose olivines, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, low‐Ca pyroxene (minor), hedenbergite (rare), kamacite (rare and only found within olivine), Ca‐carbonates and abundant magnetite framboids and plaquets. Phyllosilicates are fine‐grained and largely confined to matrix; they are mixtures of serpentine and saponite. The matrix of CR2 clasts also contains pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chromite and a significant fraction of poorly‐crystalline material with the same bulk composition as matrix phyllosilicate.There is evidence of heating in a substantial number of clasts, both CM2 and CR2, including: (1) corrugated serpentine flakes, (2) pseudomorphs of anhydrous ferromagnesian material after flaky phyllosilicates, and (3) hedenbergite rims on calcite. While the timing of the hedenbergite rims is debatable, the destruction of phyllosilicates clearly occurred at a late stage, plausibly during impact onto the HED asteroid(s) and Moon, and required peak heating temperatures on the order of 400 °C.We note that in general, CM2 material was the most common carbonaceous chondrite lithology impacting the HED asteroids (with howardites and eucrites taken together), as it is for the Earth today. A total of 61 out of 75 carbonaceous chondrite clasts from HED meteorites belong to the CM clan, petrologic grade 2. This is also supported by published siderophile and volatile element data on howardites, eucrites and diogenites that are taken to indicate that CM‐like materials were the most common impactors on the HED asteroid(s). The ratio of CR/CM clasts in HED asteroids is essentially the same as for modern falls at Earth. This may indicate that the ratio of disaggregated CM2 to CR2 asteroidal material has been approximately constant through the history of the solar system. Finally, our results are also compatible with type‐2 carbonaceous chondrites being equivalent to or from the same source as the material that originally accreted to form the HED asteroid.

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.

Lewis Cliff 85332: A unique carbonaceous chondrite

Abstract— Lewis Cliff 85332 (LEW85332) is a highly unequilibrated (type 3.0–3.1) unique carbonaceous chondrite. It resembles CI and “CR” chondrites in its abundance ratios of refractory lithophiles and refractory siderophiles, but differs significantly from these groups in important ways: relative to CI chondrites, LEW85332 has low abundances of Mn, Se, Zn and most volatile siderophiles; relative to “CR” chondrites, LEW85332 has high abundance ratios of Mn and most volatile siderophiles. Although several petrologic characteristics of LEW85332 resemble those of CO chondrites, LEW85332 differs from this group in having lower abundance ratios of refractory lithophiles and higher abundance ratios of common and volatile siderophiles. Chondrules (mean diameter of 170 μm) are smaller than those in CV and CM chondrites and bigger than those in most CO chondrites. Two melilite‐rich (Åk 22) fluffy type‐A refractory inclusions were observed. Weathering of LEW85332 has resulted in the formation of 6.2 vol.% limonite; 3.9 vol.% metallic Fe‐Ni remains. The inferred original metallic Fe‐Ni abundance (13–15 wt.%) is very high for a carbonaceous chondrite and is most similar to those of Kainsaz and Colony (both CO3).LEW85332 is a breccia: the one thin section we examined contains (a) ≥ 10 primitive carbonaceous chondrite clasts (with both C1 and C2 affinities) that contain magnetite framboids and platelets, (b) two clasts containing numerous 10‐μm‐size clusters of troilite grains, and (c) one clast containing small needles of schreibersite embedded in fine‐grained silicate matrix. The unique nature of LEW85332 underscores the wide diversity of materials produced in the solar nebula.

THE ATLANTA ENSTATITE CHONDRITE BRECCIA

Atlanta is the fifth known brecciated enstatite chondrite. It contains a centimeter‐sized troilite‐rich clast, similar to those that occur in Blithfield. All of these clasts probably formed in the solar nebula under high pS2/pO2 conditions in a gas of non‐cosmic composition. The absence of ordinary or carbonaceous chondrite clasts in any of the enstatite chondrite breccias and absence of enstatite chondrite clasts or materials formed at high pS2/pO2 ratios in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrite breccias support the model that enstatite chondrites were formed at a location distant from those of the other chondritic groups.