Northwest Africa 3118

Northwest Africa

Found 2003

Carbonaceous chondrite (CV3)

Hundreds of fragments (total weight of 5895 g) were purchased in Erfoud, Morocco in December 2003 by A. and G. Hupé. Description and classification (T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU): olive gray to tan in color depending on the degree of weathering. In thin section, much of the matrix has a pronounced “ripple” texture: subparallel, curvilinear thin bands of olivine grains (Fa_32-36), up to 10 µm in size, enclose pod-like masses of micron to submicron Fe-rich olivine (Fa_42-58), pyroxenes, sulfides and minor weathering products. Chondrules are typically <2 mm in diameter, although a few chondrules may be as large as 8 mm in diameter. A small stone was found to contain a dark inclusion measuring approximately 9 cm by 2.5 cm by 1 cm. Many types of small CAI inclusions are present and rarely exceed a few mm in diameter. Low weathering grade: no metal observed in the matrix, although some chondrules contain fresh metal. Specimens: 20.3 g, NAU; main mass, Hupé.