Title: The chemical and mineralogical composition of three New Zealand chondrites
Abstract: The bulk composition, petrography, mineralogy and trace-element content of three New Zealand chondrites (Kimbolton, Morven and Wairarapa Valley) were investigated. Considered as a group, the composition and atomic ratios (Fe/Si, Mg/Si, Ca/Si, Al/Si, Ni/Si, Ir/Ni, Ir/Au and Ir/Si) of these chondrites were relatively consistent and clearly diagnostic of H-type stones. Petrographic studies and microprobe determinations of fayalite and ferrosilite in the olivine and pyroxene of the silicate phases of the New Zealand meteorites showed that the Wairarapa Valley specimen differs from the other two in being well equilibrated. The two non-equilibrated chondrites (Morven and Kimbolton), though potentially derived from the same parent body on the basis of their chemical composition, have a geographical separation distance (650 km) which renders this unlikely. On the basis of petrographic studies, the meteorites are now classified as follows: Kimbolton — type H4; Morven — type H4/5; Wairarapa Valley — type H6.
Publication Year: 1986
Publication Date: 1986-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 2
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