Dhofar 304

Oman

Found 2001 April 13

Lunar meteorite (anorthositic impact melt breccia)

A brownish grey stone weighing 10 g was found in the Dhofar region, Oman. Mineralogy and classification (M. Nazarov, Vernad; L. Taylor, UTenn): fusion crust is absent; meteorite is a clast-rich impact melt breccia; mineral fragments and lithic clasts are embedded in a very fine-grained impact-melt matrix; the lithic clast population is dominated by impact melt breccias; possible igneous rocks and granulites of mostly anorthositic and gabbro-noritic compositions are rare. Mineral compositions are: feldspar, An93–99; orthopyroxene, Wo1–5En70–90; clinopyroxene, Wo6–42En40–50; olivine, Fo60–90 (Fe/Mn 87 at). Accessory minerals are Ti-rich chromite, Cr­pleonaste, ilmenite (7–8 wt % MgO), troilite, and FeNi metal

(7.8 wt% Ni; 0.6 wt% Co). The composition of the impact-melt matrix (wt%) is SiO2 = 45.0, TiO2 = 0.34, Al2O3 = 25.3, Cr2O3 = 0.17, FeO = 5.71, MnO = 0.12, MgO = 7.09, CaO = 14.8, Na2O = 0.37, K2O = 0.04, P2O5 = 0.07. The meteorite is moderately weathered; gypsum, calcite, celestite, barite, and Fe hydroxides occur in cracks and holes. Dhofar 304 is possibly paired with Dhofar 025 and Dhofar 301 because the stones were found nearby and they are similar in texture, mineral chemistry and degree of weathering. Specimens: type specimens of 2 g, and a thin section, Vernad; main mass with anonymous finder.