Dhofar 1984 (Dho 1984)        18°42.69’N, 54°9.42’E

Zufar, Oman

Found: January 2011

Classification: Lunar meteorite (feldspathic breccia)

Petrography: (S. Bell and C. Herd, UAb). Petrographic microscope examination of thin section. A clast-rich breccia with a clastic, fine-grained matrix composed mainly of plagioclase. Clasts range in size from 50 to 600 μm, and are dominated by impact breccias, cataclastic ferroan anorthosite, and rarer basaltic clasts. The latter consist of subophitic, Mg-Fe zoned augite and An-rich plagioclase; one such clast also contains part of a larger Fo₆₉ olivine phenocryst. Fragments of plagioclase and rarer pyroxene and olivine are also present, as are glassy clasts. A preferred orientation of clasts is not observed. Very few fractures are present, indicating low shock deformation. Minimal presence of calcite veins and oxidation indicate low weathering grade.

Geochemistry: EPMA examination of carbon-coated thin sections (C. Herd and S. Bell, UAb; T. Theye, UStutt): olivine Fa_21.3-43.3 (n=7); pyroxene Fs_13.9-69.7Wo_10.8-40.9 (n=17); plagioclase An_93.6-97.0 (n=15). Bulk composition (R. Korotev, WUSL): INAA of subsamples give mean abundances of (in wt.%) FeO 5.26, Na₂O 0.372, CaO 15.4, and (in ppm) Sc 11.32, La 2.8, Sm 1.35, Eu 0.79, Yb 1.10, and Th 0.41.

Classification: Achondrite, lunar feldspathic fragmental breccia.

Specimens: 7.2 g type specimen, including polished thin section and 2.4 g bulk powdered sample, are on deposit at UAb. A 0.36 g slice of the type specimen was used for INAA by Korotev. Remainder at SQU.