Dhofar 310

Oman

Found 2002 January 15

Lunar meteorite (anorthositic fragmental breccia)

A grey 10.8 g stone was found in the Dhofar region of Oman. Classification and mineralogy mineralogy (S. Demidova, Vernad; G. Kurat, NHMV): fusion crust is almost absent; the meteorite is a fragmental regolith breccia containing numerous mineral fragments and clasts of feldspathic rocks embedded in a devitrified glassy matrix; clasts of granulites and possible igneous rocks are abundant and have mainly anorthositic and troctolitic-noritic compositions, impact melt breccias and pyroxenitic clasts are also present; plagioclase An_96–99Or_0.1–0.2; olivine Fo_44–86 (atomic Fe/Mn ≈ 79); orthopyroxene En_59–88Wo_1–5; clinopyroxene En_33–77Wo_5–47; accessory minerals are Ti-rich chromite, ulvöspinel, pleonaste, ilmenite (2–7 wt% MgO), armalcolite, silica, troilite, FeNi metal; composition of the impact melt matrix is MgO 4.8, CaO 18.5, Al₂O₃ 29.1, SiO₂ 43.5, FeO 3.0 (wt%); the stone is moderately weathered: calcite and gypsum veins and celestite inclusions are present. Dhofar 310 was found closely to Dhofar 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 081/280, and may be paired with some of these meteorites. Specimens: 2.5 g plus a thin section, Vernad; main mass with anonymous finder.