Northwest Africa 1950: Mineralogy and comparison with Antarctic lherzolitic shergottites

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

5

Scientific paper

NWA 1950 is a new lherzolitic shergottite recently recovered from Morocco and is the first sample of this group found outside Antarctica. Major constituent phases of NWA 1950 are olivine, pyroxenes, and plagioclase glass ("maskelynite") and the rock shows a two distinct textures: poikilitic and non-poikilitic typical of lherzolitic shergottites. In poikilitic areas, several-millimeter-sized pyroxene oikocrysts enclose cumulus olivine and chromite. In contrast, pyroxenes are much smaller in non-poikilitic areas, and olivine and plagioclase glass are more abundant. Olivine in non-poikilitic areas is more Fe-rich (Fa29-31) and shows a narrower distribution than that in poikilitic areas (Fa23-29). Pyroxenes in non-poikilitic areas are also more Fe-rich than those in poikilitic areas that show continuous chemical zoning suggesting fractional crystallization under a closed system. These observations indicate that pyroxene in non-poikilitic areas crystallized from evolved interstitial melts and olivine was re-equilibrated with such melts. NWA 1950 shows similar mineralogy and petrology to previously known lherzolitic shergottites (ALH 77005, LEW 88516, Y-793605 and GRV 99027) that are considered to have originated from the same igneous body on Mars. Olivine composition of NWA 1950 is intermediate between those of ALH 77005-GRV 99027 and those of LEW 88516-Y-793605, but is rather similar to ALH 77005 and GRV 99027. The subtle difference of mineral chemistry (especially, olivine composition) can be explained by different degrees of re-equilibration compared to other lherzolitic shergottites, perhaps due to different location in the same igneous body. Thus, NWA 1950 experienced a high degree of re-equilibration, similar to ALH 77005 and GRV 99027.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Northwest Africa 1950: Mineralogy and comparison with Antarctic lherzolitic shergottites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Northwest Africa 1950: Mineralogy and comparison with Antarctic lherzolitic shergottites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Northwest Africa 1950: Mineralogy and comparison with Antarctic lherzolitic shergottites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1634993

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.