Dhofar 306

Oman

Found 2001 June 29

Lunar meteorite (anorthositic impact melt breccia)

A light-grey stone weighing 12.86 g was found in the Dhofar region of Oman. Mineralogy and classification (M. Nazarov, Vernad; L. Taylor, UTenn): fusion crust is absent; the meteorite is an impact melt breccia consisting from mineral fragments and lithic clasts cemented by fine-grained impact-melt matrix; clast population is dominated by impact melt breccias; granulites and cataclastic igneous rocks of anorthositic, troctolitic and noritic compositions are present; devitrified glass fragments occur also; a characteristic feature of the lithic clast population is abundant high mg# lithologies; feldspar, An_93–98; orthopyroxene, Wo_1–5En_50–90; clinopyroxene; Wo_10–48En_30–75, olivine, Fo_48–94 (Fe/Mn = 87 at); accessory minerals are Ti-rich chromite, Cr-pleonaste, ilmenite (3–8 wt% MgO), armalcolite, silica, Ca-phosphate, troilite, and FeNi metal (7–68 wt% Ni, 0.3–3.4 wt% Co); composition of the impact-melt matrix is SiO₂ = 44.0, TiO₂ = 0.15, Al₂O₃ = 27.2, Cr₂O₃ = 0.12, FeO = 4.00, MnO = 0.05, MgO = 7.55, CaO = 15.5, Na₂O = 0.33, K₂O = 0.04, P₂O₅ = 0.07 (wt%); the stone is moderately weathered; celestite, calcite, and Fe hydroxides are present. Dhofar 306 is different in texture and mineral chemistry from Dhofar 081/280, 302, 303, 305, and 307, which were found nearby. However, the meteorites may be paired. Specimens: type specimen, 2.6 g and a thin section, Vernad; main mass with anonymous finder.