Classification: Lunar Melt Breccia S-high / W-low
Time/Place: 2020 in Morocco
Mass: 17kg (516g)
History: Numerous stones (purportedly found at the same unspecified site in Algeria which produced NWA 13676) were purchased by Darryl Pitt in December 2020 from a dealer in Zagora, Morocco.
Physical characteristics: All of the stones (total weight 16974 g) are dark gray and relatively fine grained with an exterior shiny patina.
Petrography: (A. Irving, UWS and P. Carpenter, WUSL) Breccia composed of mineral clasts of anorthite, olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, pigeonite and augite plus mafic lithic clasts in a very fine grained matrix containing partially altered kamacite, both high-Ti and low-Ti chromite, and minor secondary barite and celestite. These specimens are richer in mafic components by comparison with typical feldspathic lunar breccias. Mafic lithic clasts include microgabbro, subophitic olivine-bearing mare basalt and quench-textured basalt lithologies. The matrix exhibits some fluidal alignment of elongate mineral clasts and is sparsely microvesicular.
Geochemistry: Olivine (Fa26.2-41.1, FeO/MnO = 81-92, N = 5), low-Ca pyroxene (Fs27.8Wo4.4, FeO/MnO = 60), pigeonite (Fs23.9-35.9Wo13.5-18.6, FeO/MnO = 43-52, N = 3), subcalcic augite (Fs43.6Wo32.4, FeO/MnO = 51), augite (Fs11.0Wo38.4, FeO/MnO = 41), anorthite (An93.8-96.6Or0.4-0.1, N = 3).
NOTE: Super polished thin full slice 1.1mm thin
