Dhofar 1673 (Dho 1673)        18°42’40.4"N, 54°9’37.1"E

Zufar, Oman

Found: Jan 2011

Classification: Lunar meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

Petrography: (P. Strickland, UAb) Dominated by ferroan anorthosite and less frequent gabbroic clasts embedded in two distinct matrices. Olivine is rare and occurs in small amounts as fine grains. Ferroan anorthosite clasts are frequently seen with poikilitic pigeonite and augite, and some gabbro clasts have ophitic textures. The anorthosite clasts are embedded in a devitrified fine-grained matrix and fragment-rich feldspathic glassy impact melt matrix. A preferred orientation of clasts can be seen within these matrices. Clast sizes range from 0.05-1 mm, excluding the crystalline clasts which range up to 1.3mm. Other fragments consist of dark fine-grained impact-melt breccias and microporphyritic impact-melt breccias. High alumina, silica-poor (HASP) glass spherules range from 50 to 500 μm and seem to be mainly associated with the fine-grained matrix. Very few fractures are present, indicating low shock deformation. Minimal presence of calcite veins and oxidation indicate low weathering grade.

Geochemistry: (C. Herd and P. Strickland, UAb) Olivine Fa_47.3±6.6 (n=10); low-Ca pyroxene Fs_43.3±4.6Wo_31.2±7.7 (n=16); augite Fs_40.2±11.1Wo_31.2±7.7 (n=27); plagioclase An_96.2±1.2 (n=29); Ti-Cr-Spinel (all wt%) TiO₂=21.6, Al₂O₃=3.92, Cr₂O₃=20.0, FeO=50.1, MgO= 1.6; HASP Glass (all wt%) SiO₂=39.9-45.6, Al₂O₃=27.5-34.0.

Classification: Achondrite, Lunar Feldspathic Regolith Breccia. Classified as a regolith breccia rather than a fragmental breccia based on the presence of HASP glass spherules, as was observed in the mature regolith breccia QUE 93069 (Warren et al., 2005).

Specimens: 7.1 g type specimen, including polished thin section, are on deposit at UAb. Remainder at SQU.