Oued Awlitis 002 (OA 002)        25.966°N, 12.539°W

Morocco/Western Sahara

Find: 2014 May

Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite (CV3)

History: (H. Chennaoui-Aoudjehane, FSAC) A group of four identical stones (432 g, 199 g, 1230 g, 628 g) were found by Mr. Addi Smara in May 2014. The 432 g stone was purchased by John Higgins in May 2014 from a dealer in Laayoune, and detailed study of it forms the basis of this classification.

Physical characteristics: The stones are all dark brown with lighter inclusions visible through the desert patina. The cut interior of the 432 g stone exhibits beige to brown chondrules and sparse CAI (some pinkish in color with pale rims).

Petrography: (A. Irving and S. Kuehner, UWS) Composed of separated, predominantly granular chondrules (1.5±0.9 mm, some rimmed) within a brown stained matrix. Minerals are olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene with accessory troilite, taenite and chlorapatite. One irregularly shaped, very fine-grained CAI is present within the prepared thin section. A very unusual "basaltic" clast was also observed, and is composed of laths of intermediate K-bearing plagioclase, aluminous clinopyroxene, olivine and chromian pleonaste spinel.

Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa_1.1-36.7, N = 4), orthopyroxene (Fs_3.1-4.8Wo_1.0-0.2, N = 3), clinopyroxene (Fs_1.8Wo_47.2; Fs_5.8Wo_39.1).

Classification: Carbonaceous chondrite (CV3).

Specimens: 20.1 g including one polished thin section at UWB. 284 g at AMNH; remaining material of the 432 g stone with Mr. J. Higgins; the holders of the other stones are anonymous.