Northwest Africa 14959 (NWA 14959)

Mauritania

Purchased: 2021 Sept

Classification: Iron meteorite (ungrouped)

History: Acquired by Shun-Chung Yang and Juan Chen from a broker who resides in Safi, Morocco in September 2021. Reportedly found in Mauritania. Shun-Chung Yang analyzed the elemental composition by using HR-ICPMS for preliminary assessment, which showed 50% Fe, 46% Ni and 0.56% Co. A sample was then sent to UAb for formal classification.

Physical characteristics: Consists of a single, 222 g oriented mass.

Petrography: (C. Herd, UAb) Optical and SEM investigation of a ~2.5 × 3 cm cross sectional slice reveals rounded inclusions of troilite up to several mm across with ~100 µm schreibersite grains at their rims, and rare <10 µm kamacite grains in their interiors. The main metal portion is high in Ni (over 40% by EDS) and is structureless. Minor alteration is present along fractures extending into the interior.

Geochemistry: ICP-MS data, using sample of North Chile (Filomena) as standard (C. Herd, P. Hill, and S. DuFrane UAb): Ni = 44.6, Co = 0.569 (both wt%); Ir = 0.03, Ga = 5.8, Ge = 18, As = 35, Ru = 0.78, Pd = 29, Sb = 4.8, W = 0.08, Pt = 1.2, Cu = 3430, Au = 2.4 (all µg/g).

Classification: (C. Herd, UAb): Iron, ungrouped. May be related to high-Ni members of the IAB Complex.

Specimens: Type specimen of 21.5 g at UAb. Main mass with Shun-Chung Yang and Juan Chen.