Sample No. : ALHA78044

Location: Allan Hills

Field No.: 282

Weight (gms): 164.1

Meteorite Type: L4 Chondrite

Physical Description:

Patches of brown and black fusion crust cover entire specimen except for a 2 x 2 cm area on the B surface. Many clasts are visible on the exterior surfaces. Several fractures penetrate the interior of the stone. Chipping revealed an interior that is mostly weathered. Dark gray inclusions up to 2 mm in diameter are visible in the unweathered light gray matrix. Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 3.5 cm.

Petrographic Description: Brian Mason

The section shows a closely-packed aggregate of chondrules, 0.3-2.4 mm across; a variety of chondrule types is present, the commonest being granular and porphyritic olivine, barred olivine, and radiating and fine-grained pyroxene. The matrix consists of fine-grained olivine and pyroxene and minor subequal amounts of nickel-iron and troilite. The meteorite is considerably weathered, with limonitic staining throughout and areas of red-brown limonite associated with the metal grains. Microprobe analyses show slightly variable olivine composition (Fa23-25, average Fa14) and moderately variable pyroxene (Fs19-24, average Fs21). The meteorite is classified as an L4 chondrite.