Tindouf 007        27°57.00’N, 7°56.78’W

Tindouf, Algeria

Find: 2020

Classification: Iron meteorite (IAB complex)

History: A single, 160 g oriented stone and 42 smaller masses were found in 2020, in an area approximately 40 km NW from Tindouf, locally known as Wad Alma ("water valley"). Purchased from a dealer in Tindouf in September 2020.

Physical characteristics: Masses have a dark brown, mottled exterior, with obvious terrestrial alteration. Cut surfaces of the examined specimens shown an equilibrated texture.

Petrography: (C. Herd and P. Hill, UAb) Petrographic investigation by optical and scanning electron microscopy reveals equant, mm to sub-mm kamacite grains with 120 grain boundaries. No high-Ni phases were observed. Silicate inclusions are present, but are heavily altered and were not identified. Some terrestrial alteration extends into the interior.

Geochemistry: ICP-MS data, using sample of North Chile (Filomena) as standard (C. Herd, P. Hill, and S. DuFrane UAb): Ni = 5.5, Co = 0.475 (both wt%); Ir = 2.9, Ga = 21, Ge = 55, As = 5.1, Sb = 0.15, Ru = 3.4, Re = 0.22, Os = 2.2, W = 2.2, Pt = 6.0, Cu = 216 (all μg/g).

Classification: (C. Herd and P. Hill, UAb): IAB iron, recrystallized. Closest to Main Group sub-group. Classification is based on Ni, Co, Ir, W, Cu, and Sb, by comparison with Wasson and Kallemeyn (2002), and the presence of silicate inclusions.

Specimens: Type specimen of 45 g consisting of three slices at UAb. Main mass with Juan Chen and Shun-Chung Yang.