Northwest Africa 2986 (NWA 2986)

Morocco

Purchased: 2006

Classification: Martian meteorite (shergottite)

History: Three partially crusted stones with a weight of 201 g were purchased in Erfoud, Morocco, in 2006.

Petrography: (T. Bunch and J. Wittke, NAU): A basaltic shergottite that contains 54 vol% Ca-pyroxene (pigeonite and augite), 41 vol% plagioclase (maskelynite) and minor ulvöspinel, ilmenite, merrillite, chlorapatite, pyrrhotite, and K-Si-rich, late stage glasses. Pyroxene shows mottled compositional zoning. Dark, shock pocket glasses and veins are also present.  A few melt inclusions of K-Si-rich glass, phosphates, ferroan pigeonite, and ilmenite were found in ulvöspinel.

Geochemistry: Pigeonite Fs_37.4-53.8Wo_10.8-15.8 (FeO/MnO = 34); augite Fs_27.8-40.6Wo_33.4-36.0; maskelynite An_54.7Or_1.6.  Oxygen isotopes (D. Rumble, CIW):  Replicate analyses of acid-washed whole rock samples by laser fluorination gave, respectively δ¹⁸O = 4.65, 4.59, 4.45, 4.78, δ¹⁷O = 2.73, 2.67, 2.58, 2.80, Δ¹⁷O = 0.280, 0.260, 0.240, 0.284 (all permil).  Bulk composition (ICPMS, C. Herd, UAb): (mean of 2 replicate analyses, in ppm) La 0.97, Ce 2.32, Nd 1.70, Sm 0.71, Eu 0.43, Gd 1.71, Dy 1.12, Yb 0.85, Lu 0.12, Hf 1.07, Ba 21, Cr 646, V 236, Ni 47, Co 29.

Classification: Martian (shergottite) with an "enriched" chondrite-normalized rare earth element pattern, and probably paired with NWA 2975 and related stones. Low weathering grade and a moderate shock level.

Specimens: 21.3 g is on deposit at NAU*.  MFarmer and Strope are the main mass holders.