APPENDIX

PART V

CHEMICAL, ISOTOPIC, & STRUCTURAL TRENDS FOR CLASSIFICATION

CONTINUE TO
[PART I] Chondrites
[PART II] Achondrites
[PART III] Irons
[PART IV] Stony-Irons
[APPENDECTOMY]

Oxygen Content:
Carbonaceous chondrites are oxygen-rich with most of the iron combined as silicates, magnetite, or water. Ordinary chondrites have about half their iron in the oxide form with the rest in troilite or metal. Enstatite chondrites are oxygen-poor with all the iron in metal or sulfide form. R chondrites have a high degree of Fe oxidation.
CI-normalized refractory-lithophile abundance ratio:
Carbonaceous chondrites have a ratio of 1.00–1.35 (CV = 1.33, CK = 1.11–1.33, CO,CM = 1.11, CR = 1.00), R chondrites 0.85, ordinary chondrites 0.77–0.82, and enstatite chondrites ~0.6.
Fine-grained matrix/chondrule modal abundance ratio:
Carbonaceous chondrites have a ratio of 0.5–7.0, ordinary chondrites ~0.3, enstatite chondrites essentially none, and R chondrites 1.6 (±0.9).
Abundance of isotopically heterogeneous refractory inclusions:
Carbonaceous chondrites have a ratio of ~0.5–5.0 vol%, ordinary chondrites have a negligible amount, enstatite chondrites a negligible amount, and R chondrites essentially none.
Whole rock O-isotope composition:
Carbonaceous chondrites are much below the terrestrial fractionation line (TFL), ordinary chondrites are above the TFL, enstatite chondrites are on the TFL, and R chondrites are much above the TFL. The CO and CK groups share a common O-isotopic composition.
CI-normalized Se/Sb concentration ratios:
Carbonaceous chondrites have a ratio of 0.6–0.9, ordinary chondrites 0.9–1.1, enstatite chondrites 1.0–1.2, and R chondrites 1.5 (±0.2).
Molar An of plagioclase:
Carbonaceous chondrites have a high molar, ordinary chondrites have a low molar, enstatite chondrites have a very low molar, and R chondrites have a low molar.
Abundance of opaque mineral-rich porphyritic chondrules:
Carbonaceous chondrites have a large abundance, ordinary chondrites have few, enstatite chondrites have a low to moderate abundance, and R chondrites have few.
Ratio of Iron to Silicon:
Subdivides ordinary chondrites into subgroups H, L, and LL, and the enstatite chondrites into subgroups EH and EL.
Ratio of Magnesium to Silicon:
Separates the carbonaceous, ordinary, and enstatite chondrites. Carbonaceous chondrites have average ratios of 1.05. Ordinary chondrites have ratios of 0.97, 0.92, and 0.92 for H, L, and LL groups, respectively. Enstatite chondrites have ratios of 0.73 and 0.88 for EH and EL groups, respectively.
Ratio of Calcium to Silicon:
Subdivides carbonaceous chondrites into subgroups CI, CM, CR, CO, CK, CV, and CH.
CV oxidized Bali-like and Allende-like, and reduced subgroups are separated by FeNi-metal, sulfide, and magnetite abundances (after Bland et al., 2000):

Allende-like have low FeNi-metal, sulfides, and magnetite; metal and sulfides are Ni-rich.

Bali-like have variable to high magnetite, low to absent metal, and low sulfides; metal and sulfides are mostly Ni-rich.

reduced CVs have intermediate magnetite, high metal, and high sulfides; metal and sulfides are mostly Ni-poor.

Ratio of low-temperature metals (e.g., Pd and Au) to Ir:
Ratios are higher in EL than in EH chondrites.
Chondrule Size (Brearley and Jones, 1998):
Average diameter (mm) decreases in the order CV>LL>CR=CK=L>EL=K>R>CM=H>EH>CO>CH

ORDINARY CHONDRITE CHONDRULE SIZES (µm)
after K. Metzler (2018)

Mean
2D (3D) Median
2D (3D) Min
2D (3D) Max
2D (3D)

H4 (NWA 2465) 450 (490) 370 (420) 95 (90) 5400 (2360)

L4 (Saratov) 500 (610) 450 (530) 130 (180) 2160 (2520)

LL4 (NWA 7545) 690 (830) 580 (730) 190 (245) 3810 (2880)

after D. W. Hughes (1978)

L/LL4 (Bjurböle) — (750) — (688) 200 (250) — (—)

Petrologic Type:
Type 3 represents unaltered material, while lower numbers represent progressive alteration by aqueous conditions and higher numbers represent progressive alteration by thermal metamorphism. As metamorphic alteration increases to type 7, a number of chemical and physical changes occur (reference not recorded):

olivine and pyroxene become more homogeneous

pyroxene changes from low-temperature clinopyroxene to high-temperature orthopyroxene

amount of crystalline feldspar increases at the expense of glass, then decreases after vitrification

feldspar coarsens from type 6 to 7, becoming >0.1 mm in size

fine-grained matrix becomes transparent and recrystallizes into a coarser texture

bulk carbon and bulk water content decrease

Ca range in Wollastonite increases from 0.4–1.2 in types 3 and 4, to 1.2–1.6 in type 5, and to 1.6–2.2 in type 6

CaO in low-Ca pyroxenes increases from <1.0 wt% to >1.0 wt% from type 6 to 7

chondrules merge into surrounding material and become only relics by type 7, while like-metal grains coalesce and exhibit an even dispersion

TL sensitivity increases with higher petrologic type, while decreasing at higher shock levels

ORDINARY CHONDRITE CHONDRULE SIZES (µm) after K. Metzler (2018)
	Mean 2D (3D)	Median 2D (3D)	Min 2D (3D)	Max 2D (3D)
H4 (NWA 2465)	450 (490)	370 (420)	95 (90)	5400 (2360)
L4 (Saratov)	500 (610)	450 (530)	130 (180)	2160 (2520)
LL4 (NWA 7545)	690 (830)	580 (730)	190 (245)	3810 (2880)
after D. W. Hughes (1978)
L/LL4 (Bjurböle)	— (750)	— (688)	200 (250)	— (—)

CO3 Petrographic Types
after Sears et al., 1991

TL sens. (120°C)

3.0 <0.017

3.1   0.017–0.030

3.2   0.030–0.054

3.3   0.054–0.100

3.4   0.100–0.170

3.5   0.170–0.300

3.6   0.300–0.540

3.7   0.540–1.000

3.8   1.000–1.700

3.9 >1.700

CO3 Petrographic Types after Sears et al., 1991
	TL sens. (120°C)
3.0	<0.017
3.1	0.017–0.030
3.2	0.030–0.054
3.3	0.054–0.100
3.4	0.100–0.170
3.5	0.170–0.300
3.6	0.300–0.540
3.7	0.540–1.000
3.8	1.000–1.700
3.9	>1.700

It is considered that the TL sensitivity technique is not applicable below subtype 3.2 because feldspar could have been dissolved during the aqueous alteration process. This classification method has now been superseded by more sensitive techniques that are able to measure the peak metamorphic temperatures, and thus enable the direct comparison of petrologic types among chemical classes. To discriminate among subtypes below type 3.2, it has been shown that the Cr content of ferroan olivine is an excellent indicator of metamorphism. Chromite exsolves from olivine in the incipient stages of metamorphism, initially producing heterogeneous Cr2O3 contents, and eventually low-Cr olivine. In a study by Chizmadia and Bendersky (2006), they determined that this sequence progresses from type 3.0, corresponding to high Cr2O3 contents of 0.3–0.4 wt%, to type 3.2, in which Cr2O3 constitutes less than 0.1 wt%. The gap between these subtypes represents type 3.1. A detailed petrographic study of CO3 chondrites was conducted by Davidson et al. in 2014 in order to better define a metamorphic trend for this group (see following diagram).

Diagram credit: J. N. Grossman & A. J. Brearley, MAPS, vol. 40, p. 87 (2005)
'The onset of metamorphism in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites'
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2005.tb00366.x)

CO3 Chondrites

Image courtesy of Davidson et al., 45th LPSC, #1384 (2014)

A Chemical-Petrologic Classification for the Chondritic Meteorites (Van Schmus and Wood, 1967)
Revised by Tait et al. (2015) to include criteria for petrologic type 7, incorporating updates from Sears and Dodd (1998), Brearley and Jones (1998), #Dodd (1981), and Tait et al.* (2014)

Diagram credit: A.W. Tait et al., GCA, vol. 134, p. 192 (2014)
'Investigation of the H7 ordinary chondrite, Watson 012: Implications for recognition and classification of Type 7 meteorites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.02.039)

In a manner similar to that employed for the chondrite groups, the eucrites have been petrologically divided into a metamorphic sequence comprising seven types (after Takeda and Graham, 1991; Yamaguchi et al., 1996):

Type 1—Most rapidly cooled within the sequence; mesostasis-rich with a glass phase and original chemistry preserved; exhibits pronounced Mg–Fe zoning in pyroxenes; represents the least altered basalt studied; e.g., clasts in Y-75011, Y-75015, and Y-74450

Type 2—Metastable Fe-rich pyroxenes are absent; mesostasis glass is no longer clear; e.g., Pasamonte

Type 3—Zoning from core to rim is less defined with an increase in Ca towards the rim; pyroxenes becoming cloudy; coarsening of pyroxenes resulting from augite exsolution lamellae; e.g., clast in Y-790266

Type 4—Only remnants of zoning still visible; cloudy pyroxenes present; mesostasis glass is recrystallized or absent; augite exsolution lamellae becoming resolvable in microprobe; e.g., Stannern, Nuevo Laredo

Type 5—Homogenous host composition with readily resolvable exsolved pigeonite lamellae; pigeonites extensively clouded by reheating; mesostasis glass recrystallized or absent; e.g., Juvinas, Sioux Co., Lakangaon

Type 6—Most slowly cooled eucrites in the sequence; the clinopyroxene pigeonite is partly inverted to orthopyroxene through slow cooling processes; pyroxenes contain Mg-rich cores and coarse augite exsolution lamellae; original mesostasis is absent; Ca is enriched in the rims; often have a brecciated texture; e.g., Millbillillie, Y-791186

Type 7—Recognized as the most metamorphosed in the sequence (Yamaguchi et al., 1996); e.g., Palo Blanco Creek, Jonzac, Haraiya, A-87272, NWA 3152

Weathering Grade (Cassidy, 1980; Otto, 1992)
(based on surficial rust and evaporites, used for Antarctic meteorites)

A–Minor rustiness; rust haloes on metal particles and rust stains along fractures are minor

B–Moderate rustiness; large rust haloes occur on metal particles and rust stains on internal fractures are extensive

C–Severe rustiness; metal particles have been mostly stained by rust throughout

e–Evaporite minerals visible to the naked eye

Weathering Grade (Wlotzka, 1993)∗
(based on oxidation of FeNi-metal and FeS; primarily used for ordinary chondrites)

W0–No visible oxidation of metal or sulfide but a limonitic staining might be noticeable in transmitted light. Fresh falls are usually of this grade, although some are already W1

W1–Minor oxide rims around metal and troilite, with minor oxide veins

W2–Moderate oxidation of metal, about 20–60% being affected

W3–Heavy oxidation of metal and troilite, 60–95% being replaced

W4–Complete (>95%) oxidation of metal and troilite, but no alteration of silicates

W5–Beginning alteration of mafic silicates, mainly along cracks

W6–Large scale replacement of silicates by clay minerals and oxides

∗Revised by Zurfluh et al. (2016)
(based on improved weathering parameters applied to a greater number of meteorite samples)

W0.0–Fresh, some iron hydroxide staining possible

W1.0–Minor oxide rims around metal and troilite, small iron oxides and iron hydroxide veins might be already present

W2.0–Onset of veining with iron oxides and iron hydroxides

W3.0–Strong oxidation of metal, troilite shows only minor alteration

W3.3– Strong oxidation of metal, troilite moderately altered. Usually a few troilites are completely oxidized

W3.6–Strong oxidation of metal and troilite. Most troilites are oxidized or show reduced reflectivity

W4.0–Nearly complete oxidation of metal and troilite, usually some troilite remnants are visible

W4.5–All metal and troilite oxidized, only minor remnants of metal and troilite as inclusions in silicates; some silicate alteration (mainly olivine) possible

W5.0– Metal and troilite 100% oxidized, major alteration of silicates, mainly olivine

W6.0–Massive replacement of silicates by clay and oxides

When metal and troilite each are oxidized >95 vol%, the sample is classified as W4.0, while a sample with 100 vol% metal alteration and 90 vol% troilite alteration is still a W3.6.

Weathering Index (Rubin and Huber, 2005)
(based on the amount of staining in silicates, used for oxidized CK and R chondrites)

wi-0–Unweathered; <5 vol% of silicates stained brown

wi-1–Slightly weathered; 5–25 vol% of silicates stained brown

wi-2–Moderately weathered; 25–50 vol% of silicates stained brown

wi-3–Significantly weathered; 50–75 vol% of silicates stained brown

wi-4–Highly weathered; 75–95 vol% of silicates stained brown

wi-5–Severely weathered; >95 vol% of silicates stained brown

wi-6–Extremely weathered; nearly complete staining of silicates, and significant replacement of mafic silicates by phyllosilicates

Fracturing Scale

A–Minor cracks; few or no cracks are conspicuous to the naked eye and no cracks penetrate the entire specimen

B–Moderate cracks; several cracks extend across exterior surfaces and the specimen can be readily broken along the cracks

C–Severe cracks; specimen readily crumbles along cracks that are both extensive and abundant

Age-Dependent Fragmentation and Dispersion in Hot Deserts (A. Al-Kathiri et al., 2005)

Fragmentation is considered to result from daily thermal fluctuations, volume increase, and penetration of sand and water into cracks. Dispersal occurs through natural means, i.e., wind and water, as well as by animals.

Fragmentation Index (FI):

the mass of the largest fragment ÷ total mass of all fragments

Fragment Dispersion (FD):

the maximum distance between different fragments of a single fall

Shock Stage* (olivine-bearing meteorites) (Stöffler et al., 1991; revised by Schmitt et al., 1994, Schmitt and Stöffler, 1995, and Rubin, 2004)

S1–S2: Unshocked (sharp extinction of olivine grains), peak shock pressure <4–5 GPa, where 1 GPa = 10kb or 10,000 bars; min. temp. increase 10°C

S2–S3: Very weakly shocked (weak undulose extinction of olivine grains), peak shock pressure 5–10 GPa; min. temp. increase 20°C

S3–S4: Weakly shocked (strong undulose extinction in olivine grains with planar fractures and melt pockets; silicate darkening; irregular FeS in FeNi-metal; chromite veinlets and chromite–plagioclase assemblages; metallic Cu grains), peak shock pressure 10–15 GPa; min. temp. increase 100°C

S4–S5: Moderately shocked (mosaicism in olivine grains; some maskelynitization of feldspar; mobilization of metal and FeS in shock veins; narrow silicate melt veins; metal and sulfide nodules; polycrystalline troilite; melt pockets; mechanical twinning in Ca-rich clinopyroxene; martensite/plessite; high-pressure minerals), peak shock pressure 25–30 GPa; min. temp. increase 300°C

S5–S6: Strongly shocked (large impact-melt clasts present; high-pressure minerals), peak shock pressure 45–60 GPa; min. temp. increase 600°C

S6: Very strongly shocked (localized melt veins and maskelynite present; high-pressure minerals), peak shock pressure 60–75 GPa; min. temp. increase 1500°C (whole rock impact melting occurs at 75–90 GPa; temp. increase >1500°C)

Shock stage is determined by the highest indicated stage by at least 25% of the indicator grains. In actuality, shock stage is determined by factors in addition to equilibrium shock pressure, including shock duration, pre-shock porosity, and stress-strain history (Xie et al.*, 2006).

Shock Stage (orthopyroxene-bearing meteorites) (Rubin et al., 1997), in conjunction with olivine and plagioclase data characterized by Stöffler et al., 1991; Schmitt et al., 1994; Schmitt and Stöffler, 1995; and Izawa et al., 2011)

S1: Sharp optical extinction of orthopyroxene grains, peak shock pressure <5 GPa

S2: Undulose extinction of orthopyroxene grains, irregular fractures, peak shock pressure 5–10 GPa

S3: Clinoenstatite twinning parallel to (100), planar fractures, peak shock pressure 10–15 GPa

S4: Weak mosaicism in orthopyroxene grains, peak shock pressure 15–30 GPa

S5: Strong mosaicism, peak shock pressure 30–60 GPa

S6 (only localized regions identified in enstatite chondrites): Melting or transformation to majorite, peak shock pressure 75–90 GPa; (whole rock impact melting occurs at >90 GPa)

Shock Pressure Calibration (Schmitt, 2000)

A. SILICATES

<15 GPa: Undulatory extinction of olivine

10–15 GPa to 20–25 GPa: Weak mosaicism of olivine

20–25 GPa: Onset of strong mosaicism of olivine

20–25 GPa (high-temperature conditions); 25–30 GPa (low-temperature conditions): transformation of oligoclase to densified diaplectic silica glass is complete

25–30 GPa (high-temperature conditions); 30–35 GPa (low-temperature conditions): onset of weak mosaicism in orthopyroxene

35–45 GPa (high-temperature conditions); 45–60 GPa (low-temperature conditions): start of recrystallization or melting of olivine

>45–60 GPa (high-temperature conditions): Recrystallization of olivine complete

B. TROILITE

<25 GPa: Undulatory extinction

25–45 GPa: Twinning

30–60 GPa: Partial recrystallization

10–45 GPa (high-temperature conditions); >35 GPa (low-temperature conditions): Complete recrystallization

>45 GPa (high-temperature conditions): Melting and crystallization

C. LOCALIZED SHOCK-INDUCED MELTING

>15 GPa (high-temperature conditions) or >30 GPa (low-temperature conditions): FeNi–FeS melt veins with pockets and veins of whole-rock melt

When utilizing shock-melt veins, pressure calibrations for stage S6 of Stöffler et al. (1991) may be too high by a factor of at least two (Xie et al., 2006).

Diagram credit: Xie et al., 85th MetSoc (2022 #6487)
'Is Diaplectic Glass A Glass?'

Chromite as a Shock Indicator (Rubin, 2003)

Shock Stage 1: Unmelted, unfractured chromite grains

Shock Stage 2: Unmelted, fractured chromite grains

Shock Stage 3: Chromite grains transected by opaque veins

Shock Stage 4: Chromite–plagioclase assemblages

Shock Stage 5: Veinlets containing chromite needles and blebs

Shock Stage 6: Chromite-rich chondrules

Rubin (2004) proposed that all equilibrated (type 4–6) ordinary chondrites were impact shocked to stage S3–S6, with subsequent annealing to an apparent shock stage of S1; some OCs experienced further shock events to acquire their present shock stage of S2–S6.

Shock Indicators in IVA Irons (Yang et al., 2011)

Shock Stage 1: M-shaped Ni profiles in taenite, Neumann twins in kamacite, cloudy taenite, monocrystalline troilite (e.g., Gibeon)

Shock Stage 2: M-shaped Ni profiles in taenite, shock-hatched kamacite, shock-melted troilite, cloudy taenite mostly lacking (e.g., Muonionalusta)

Shock Stage 3: Recrystallized lamellae, taenite microprecipitates on grain boundaries, completely shock-melted troilite (e.g., Maria Elena)

Shock Stage 4: Complete recrystallization of kamacite and taenite lamellae, lack of Thomson (Widmanstätten) structure, cloudy taenite completely absent (e.g., Fuzzy Creek)

Yang et al. (2011) proposed that IVA irons experienced three impacts: 1) a glancing impact 4.5 b.y. ago that ejected the silicate mantle and produced a 300 km-diameter molten metallic body; 2) a head-on collision occurred upon cooling to 200°C, likely producing a rubble-pile >30 km in diameter which resulted in shock reheating; 3) a final severe impact 400 m.y. ago producing a swarm of m-sized fragments and their delivery to Earth.

Shock Stages in Eucrites (Kanemaru et al., 2019)

Shock Stage A (unshocked): sharp optical extinction of plagioclase and pyroxene (e.g., Agoult, EET 90020, Moama)

Shock Stage B (low): undulatory extinction or mosaicism of plagioclase and pyroxene (e.g., Camel Donga, Juvinas, Millbillillie, NWA 5356, Stannern, Y-791195, Y-792510, Y-983366)

Shock Stage C (moderate): the presence of shock veins and/or maskelynite (e.g., A-881747, Cachari, Y-790266, Y-980433)

Shock Stage D (high): most plagioclase converted to maskelynite (e.g., A-87272)

A systematic method to determine shock stages for eucrites was proposed by Kanemaru et al. (2019 #2321, #6347) based on petrographic and mineralogical features and through the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.

See also the treatise on shock systematics by Stöffler et al. (2018) titled 'Shock metamorphism of planetary silicate rocks and sediments: Proposal for an updated classification system', published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science.

Meteorite Pairing (P. Benoit et al., 2000)

PAIRING CRITERIA:

Parent body history

Bulk elemental and isotopic concentrations

Mineral abundance and compositions

Petrography (shock, metamorphic, and igneous textures)

Stable isotope abundance and formation ages

Meteoroid space history

Cosmogenic noble gas ratios (cosmic-ray exposure age, shielding, solar gases, thermal history)

Natural TL (reheating)

Meteorite terrestrial history

Geographic proximity

Shape and size

Number of specimens

Terrestrial age

Weathering grade

Natural TL levels

Applying data from these criteria to the formula below, a pairing score and its associated pairing likelihood is obtained.

P_rel = P_rel* × P_ss × P_brec × P_cre × P_solar × P_3He × P_tage × P_weath × P_NatTL

where...
P_rel* = relative abundance by classification
P_ss = relative abundance by shock stage
P_brec = relative abundance by brecciation
P_cre = relative abundance by cosmic-ray exposure age
P_solar = relative abundance by solar-gas-bearing meteorites
P_3He = relative abundance by light noble gas depleted meteorites
P_tage = relative abundance by terrestrial age
P_weath = relative abundance by weathering factor
P_NatTL = relative abundance by natural TL levels

Pairing score (%) / Pairing likelihood

>90_____Likely
80–90_Probable
70–80_Possible
50–70_Potential
<50_____Candidate or Unlikely

Compositional Relationships Among Bodies
(Lindstrom et al., 1994; Mayne et al., 2008)

MINERAL COMPOSITIONS

Fe/Mn (pyx) plag. Fe-metal sulfide secondary alter.

HED 20––40 An90 Y Troilite none

Angrites 60&––90 An99 N Troilite none

Moon 70 An92 Y Troilite none

Earth 60 An50 N Pyrrh. hydrous phases

Mars 35 An50 N Pyrrh. hydrous phases

Venus 55 — N Pyrrh.* anhydrous phases

MINERAL COMPOSITIONS
	*Fe/Mn (pyx)	plag.	Fe-metal	sulfide	secondary alter.
HED	20––40	An90	Y	Troilite	none
Angrites	60&––90	An99	N	Troilite	none
Moon	70	An92	Y	Troilite	none
Earth	60	An50	N	Pyrrh.	hydrous phases
Mars	35	An50	N	Pyrrh.	hydrous phases
Venus	55	—	N	Pyrrh.	anhydrous phases

*Differences in Fe/Mn ratios are attributed to initial accretional abundances. The primordial value of the Fe/Mn ratio in pyroxenes remains constant regardless of differentiation processes, and is considered to be diagnostic for the origin of each planetary body.

BULK CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS

Fe/Mn K/U K/La (×CI) Rb/La (×CI)

HED 30 (±2) 2,000 0.03 0.002–0.02

Ibitira 34–36 — — —

Angrites 80–95 150 0.002–0.03 0.001

Moon 62 (±18); 67 (±9) 1,700 0.03 0.016

Earth 40 (±11) 12,500 0.15 0.09

Mars 35–50 15,000 0.2 0.3

Venus 55 (±30) 12,500 0.1–0.2 0.1

O-ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS

Δ17O (‰)

CR chondrites –0.96 to –2.42

Lodranites –0.85 to –1.49

Acapulcoites –0.85 to –1.22

Winonaites ~ –0.4 to –0.80

HED –0.24

Brachinites –0.13 to –0.30

Angrites –0.125

Moon 0.00

Earth 0.00

Mars +0.3

Venus +0.0 to +0.3*

H (4–6) +0.73

L (4–6) +1.07

LL (4–6) +1.26

BULK CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS
	Fe/Mn	K/U	K/La (×CI)	Rb/La (×CI)
HED	30 (±2)	2,000	0.03	0.002–0.02
Ibitira	34–36	—	—	—
Angrites	80–95	150	0.002–0.03	0.001
Moon	62 (±18); 67 (±9)	1,700	0.03	0.016
Earth	40 (±11)	12,500	0.15	0.09
Mars	35–50	15,000	0.2	0.3
Venus	55 (±30)	12,500	0.1–0.2	0.1

*O-ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS
	Δ17O (‰)
CR chondrites	–0.96 to –2.42
Lodranites	–0.85 to –1.49
Acapulcoites	–0.85 to –1.22
Winonaites	~ –0.4 to –0.80
HED	–0.24
Brachinites	–0.13 to –0.30
Angrites	–0.125
Moon	0.00
Earth	0.00
Mars	+0.3
Venus	+0.0 to +0.3
H (4–6)	+0.73
L (4–6)	+1.07
LL (4–6)	+1.26

Δ17O is a convenient measure of the vertical displacement of a data point from the terrestrial fractionation line:
Δ17O = δ17O – (0.52 × δ18O)
where δ17O = 17O/16O, and δ18O = 18O/16O, expressed as parts per thousand (per mil [‰]) and measured in terms of deviations from a standard (Standard Mean Ocean Water [SMOW])

e.g.*, δ18O = [(18O_sample ÷ 16O_sample) ÷ (18O_SMOW ÷ 16O_SMOW)] – 1
See an oxygen 3-isotope plot

A report by E. Young (2007) concludes that optically thin photoactive regions in the outer disk were the site of CO photochemical conversion to 16O-poor, high Δ17O water ice. This 16O-poor water was transferred to the inner Solar System during the infall phase, or within a wavefront, on a timescale of 100 t.y. to 1 m.y., exchanging with the silicates and other chondrite constituents which formed subsequently in the inner Solar System; the igneous, refractory-rich CAI material that condensed prior to this water transfer remains 16O-rich.

Nucleosynthetic Anomalies Among Parent Bodies For O, Cr, Ca, Ti, Ni, Mo, Ru, and Nd
Burkhardt et al. (2017)

Diagrams credit: Burkhardt et al., MAPS, vol. 52, #5, pp. 815-817 (2017)
'In search of the Earth-forming reservoir: Mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic characterizations of the
ungrouped achondrite NWA 5363/NWA 5400 and selected chondrites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maps.12834)

Formational Relationships Among Ureilites (Cohen et al., 2004)

TOPICAL, CHEMICAL, AND ISOTOPIC PARAMETERS

Surface Depth

low formation pressure (~10–25 bars) high formation pressure (> ~100–125 bars)

highly reduced (smelting) little reduced (smelting suppressed)

low δ18O & Δ17O high δ18O & Δ17O

low C content high C content

magnesian (high Mg#; ~75–95) ferroan (low Mg#; ~60–90)

albitic melt clasts (<An25) labradoritic melt clasts (An39–58)
ol–aug melt clasts (An39–54)

ol–pig ureilite residues ol–aug ureilite residues

TOPICAL, CHEMICAL, AND ISOTOPIC PARAMETERS
Surface	Depth
low formation pressure (~10–25 bars)	high formation pressure (> ~100–125 bars)
highly reduced (smelting)	little reduced (smelting suppressed)
low δ18O & Δ17O	high δ18O & Δ17O
low C content	high C content
magnesian (high Mg#; ~75–95)	ferroan (low Mg#; ~60–90)
albitic melt clasts (<An25)	labradoritic melt clasts (An39–58) ol–aug melt clasts (An39–54)
ol–pig ureilite residues	ol–aug ureilite residues

Accretion Process

Accretion from dust to gas-giant planet occurred within 3 m.y. ('Pebble Accretion and the Diversity of Planetary Systems', J. E. Chambers, The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 825, 2016):

In the beginning, µm-sized dust particles are embedded in a gaseous protoplanetary disk. By 0.02 m.y., mutual collisions between dust grains result in the formation of mm- to cm-sized pebbles. By 0.15 m.y., pebbles inside the ice line (~2.5–4.5 AU) have aggregated into planetesimals with diameters of 30–300 km. Just outside the ice line, aggregation of the larger ice-rich pebbles is more efficient, and larger planetesimals with diameters of ~1,500 km are formed during runaway growth. By 0.5 m.y., some of the larger planetesimals located within ~5 AU enter an oligarchic growth stage and become planetary embryos with diameters of 2,000 km. The largest embryos located just beyond the ice line begin to grow by "pebble accretion" due to the inward drift of pebbles, reaching sizes of a few Earth masses (M_⊕). By 3 m.y., the largest of these embryos exceed a critical mass (3 × M_⊕) and undergo runaway gas accretion to form gas-giant planets. A large protoplanetary disk (radius = ~100 AU) and a small turbulence strength (α = 0.0005) help promote the formation of these gas giants, which ultimately clear their orbits. Inside the ice line, the growth of terrestrial planets (0.02–1.4 × M_⊕) ceases due to pebble depletion in the disk.

Accretion ages, in m.y. after CAIs (Sugiura and Fijiya, 2011, 2012; Budde et al., 2018):

magmatic irons=0.0 (±0.9)
pallasites=0.0 (±0.9)
mesosiderites=0.0 (±0.9)
angrites=0.5 (±0.4)
HED=0.8 (±0.3)
aubrites=<1.5
NWA 011=<1.5
ureilites=~1.0
acapulcoites=~1.2
Tafassasset=~2.0
chondrites: E=1.8; O=2.1; R=2.4; CK=2.6; CO=2.8; CV=3.0; CH/CB=3.3; CM=~3.5; CI=~3.5; CR=~3.6

Model Plot Predicting When and Where Meteorite Types Formed

click on photo for a magnified view
Data Key

Diagram credit: Desch et al., The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, vol. 238, #1, p. 23 (2018 open access version link)
'The Effect of Jupiter's Formation on the Distribution of Refractory Elements and Inclusions in Meteorites'
(https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4365/aad95f)

Melting/Differentiation Process

As stated by Sanders and Scott (2007), any body that accreted to a diameter >60 km (i.e., large enough to minimize heat loss from the surface through conduction) within ~2 m.y. after CAI formation (the oldest known objects dating to 4.567 b.y. ago) as the angrites did, must contain enough 26Al to produce global melting and differentiation. In contrast, Senshu and Matsui (2007) determined that accretion to a diameter of only ~14 km occurring within 2 m.y. after CAI formation was all that was required for global differentiation to occur, while accretion to a diameter of 40–160 km within 1.5 m.y. after CAI formation was cited by Hevey and Sanders (2006) and Sanders and Taylor (2005) as the minimums for differentiation. Sanders and Scott (2011) later revised that to suggest radiogenic melting proceeded in bodies >20 km in diameter that accreted within 1.5 m.y. after CAI formation, while bodies accreting later than 1.5 m.y. after CAIs were heated but not melted. Furthermore, they found that bodies which accreted later than 2.2 m.y. would not have melted at all. In addition, at large heliocentric distances (>~2.8 AU) accretion would proceed too slowly for sufficient 26Al to accumulate and initiate global melting prior to a body growing too large (~200 km diameter) for melting to be possible (Nyquist and Bogard, 2003).

Be that as it may, Wasson (2016) presented evidence showing that the slow heating generated entirely by the decay of 26Al is insufficient to melt asteroids, and that an additional heat source would have been required; e.g., the rapid heating incurred from major impact events. He determined that the canonical 26Al/27Al ratio of 0.000052 is much too low to cause any significant melting, and that a minimum ratio of 0.00001 would be required to produce a 20% melt fraction on a well-insulated body having a significant concentration of 26Al. For example, the initial ratio of 0.0000004–0.0000005 calculated for the angrites Sah 99555 and D'Orbigny based on their 26Al–26Mg isochrons is too low to have generated any significant melting, and therefore impacts provided a major source of heat in early solar system history.

Oxygen Buffer Systems

Fugacity-temperature diagram

Log oxygen fugacity vs. temperature at 1 bar pressure for common buffer assemblages, plotted from algorithms compiled by B. R. Frost in
Mineralogical Society of America 'Reviews in Mineralogy', vol. 25, "Oxide Minerals: Petrologic and Magnetic Significance" (D. H. Lindsley, ed., 1991).
MH: magnetite-hematite; NiNiO: Nickel-nickel oxide; FMQ: fayalite-magnetite-quartz; WM: wüstite-magnetite; IW: iron–wüstite; QIF: quartz-iron-fayalite

Cosmochronology

SOME SHORT- AND LONG-LIVED CHRONOMETERS
Norris et al., 1983; Hibiya et al., 2014; Pravdivtseva et al., 2016;
Villa et al., 2020, Desch et al., 2022 [I, II] and ref. therein

Parent → Daughter Half-life Minerals dated

⁴¹Ca → ⁴¹K 0.0994 (±0.0015) m.y.

³⁶Cl → ³⁶Ar, ³⁶S 0.301 (±0.002) m.y.

²⁶Al → ²⁶Mg 0.717 m.y. (weighted mean) or
0.708 (±0.017) m.y. (Nishiizumi, 2004) or
0.705 m.y. (AMS standard) Plag – Olv,Pyx

¹⁰Be → ¹⁰B 1.387 (±0.012) m.y. CAIs, (FUN) CAIs, PLACs

¹³⁵Cs → ¹³⁵B 2.3 (±0.3) m.y.

⁶⁰Fe → ⁶⁰Ni 2.62 (±0.04) m.y. Chr – metal

⁵³Mn → ⁵³Cr 3.98 (±0.11) m.y. Olv – Chr

¹⁰⁷Pd → ¹⁰⁷Ag 6.5 (±0.3) m.y. metal – metal

¹⁸²Hf → ¹⁸²W 8.896 (±0.089) m.y. Pyx – metal

²⁴⁷Cm → ²³⁵U 15.6 (±0.5) m.y.

¹²⁹I → ¹²⁹Xe 16.14 (±0.12) m.y. Pyx – Pyx

²⁰⁵Pb → ²⁰⁵Tl 17.3 (±0.7) m.y.

⁹²Nb → ⁹²Zr 34.7 (±0.7) m.y. Pyx – Chr

¹⁴⁶Sm → ¹⁴²Nd *68 (±7) m.y. or
**103 (±5) m.y. Chr,Pyx – Plag

²⁴⁴Pu → ²³⁶U, ²³²Th 80.0 (±0.9) m.y.

²³⁵U → ²⁰⁷Pb 703.81 (±0.96) m.y. Zircon – Zircon

¹⁷⁶Lu → ¹⁷⁶Hf 3.54 b.y. Pyx – Chr

²³⁸U → ²⁰⁶Pb 4.4683 (±0.0048) b.y. Zircon – Zircon

⁸⁷Rb → ⁸⁷Sr 49.61 (±0.16) b.y. metal – Plag

¹⁴⁷Sm → ¹⁴³Nd 106.25 (±0.38) b.y. Chr,Pyx – Plag

IUPAC-IUGS recommendation
**most consistent, best Sm–Nd age anchor (see Fang et al., 2022 #6465 and references therein)

SOME SHORT- AND LONG-LIVED CHRONOMETERS Norris et al., 1983; Hibiya et al., 2014; Pravdivtseva et al., 2016; Villa et al., 2020, Desch et al., 2022 [I, II] and ref. therein
Parent → Daughter	Half-life	Minerals dated
⁴¹Ca → ⁴¹K	0.0994 (±0.0015) m.y.
³⁶Cl → ³⁶Ar, ³⁶S	0.301 (±0.002) m.y.
²⁶Al → ²⁶Mg	0.717 m.y. (weighted mean) or 0.708 (±0.017) m.y. (Nishiizumi, 2004) or 0.705 m.y. (AMS standard)	Plag – Olv,Pyx
¹⁰Be → ¹⁰B	1.387 (±0.012) m.y.	CAIs, (FUN) CAIs, PLACs
¹³⁵Cs → ¹³⁵B	2.3 (±0.3) m.y.
⁶⁰Fe → ⁶⁰Ni	2.62 (±0.04) m.y.	Chr – metal
⁵³Mn → ⁵³Cr	3.98 (±0.11) m.y.	Olv – Chr
¹⁰⁷Pd → ¹⁰⁷Ag	6.5 (±0.3) m.y.	metal – metal
¹⁸²Hf → ¹⁸²W	8.896 (±0.089) m.y.	Pyx – metal
²⁴⁷Cm → ²³⁵U	15.6 (±0.5) m.y.
¹²⁹I → ¹²⁹Xe	16.14 (±0.12) m.y.	Pyx – Pyx
²⁰⁵Pb → ²⁰⁵Tl	17.3 (±0.7) m.y.
⁹²Nb → ⁹²Zr	34.7 (±0.7) m.y.	Pyx – Chr
¹⁴⁶Sm → ¹⁴²Nd	68 (±7) m.y. or *103 (±5) m.y.	Chr,Pyx – Plag
²⁴⁴Pu → ²³⁶U, ²³²Th	80.0 (±0.9) m.y.

²³⁵U → ²⁰⁷Pb	703.81 (±0.96) m.y.	Zircon – Zircon
¹⁷⁶Lu → ¹⁷⁶Hf	3.54 b.y.	Pyx – Chr
²³⁸U → ²⁰⁶Pb	4.4683 (±0.0048) b.y.	Zircon – Zircon
⁸⁷Rb → ⁸⁷Sr	49.61 (±0.16) b.y.	metal – Plag
¹⁴⁷Sm → ¹⁴³Nd	*106.25 (±0.38) b.y.	Chr,Pyx – Plag

Visit Jim Hurley's informative webpage on the subject of Radiometric Dating.

CONTINUE TO
[PART I] Chondrites
[PART II] Achondrites
[PART III] Irons
[PART IV] Stony-Irons
[APPENDECTOMY]

APPENDIX

PART V

CHEMICAL, ISOTOPIC, & STRUCTURAL TRENDS FOR CLASSIFICATION

CO3 Petrographic Types after Sears et al., 1991 TL sens. (120°C) 3.0 <0.017 3.1 0.017–0.030 3.2 0.030–0.054 3.3 0.054–0.100 3.4 0.100–0.170 3.5 0.170–0.300 3.6 0.300–0.540 3.7 0.540–1.000 3.8 1.000–1.700 3.9 >1.700

Diagram credit: J. N. Grossman & A. J. Brearley, MAPS, vol. 40, p. 87 (2005)'The onset of metamorphism in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2005.tb00366.x)

CO3 Chondrites

Image courtesy of Davidson et al., 45th LPSC, #1384 (2014)

A Chemical-Petrologic Classification for the Chondritic Meteorites (Van Schmus and Wood, 1967) Revised by Tait et al. (2015) to include criteria for petrologic type 7, incorporating updates from Sears and Dodd (1998), Brearley and Jones (1998), #Dodd (1981), and *Tait et al. (2014)

Diagram credit: A.W. Tait et al., GCA, vol. 134, p. 192 (2014) 'Investigation of the H7 ordinary chondrite, Watson 012: Implications for recognition and classification of Type 7 meteorites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.02.039)

Weathering Grade (Cassidy, 1980; Otto, 1992) (based on surficial rust and evaporites, used for Antarctic meteorites)

Weathering Grade (Wlotzka, 1993)∗ (based on oxidation of FeNi-metal and FeS; primarily used for ordinary chondrites)

∗Revised by Zurfluh et al. (2016) (based on improved weathering parameters applied to a greater number of meteorite samples)

Weathering Index (Rubin and Huber, 2005) (based on the amount of staining in silicates, used for oxidized CK and R chondrites)

Fracturing Scale

Age-Dependent Fragmentation and Dispersion in Hot Deserts (A. Al-Kathiri et al., 2005)

Fragmentation is considered to result from daily thermal fluctuations, volume increase, and penetration of sand and water into cracks. Dispersal occurs through natural means, i.e., wind and water, as well as by animals.

Fragmentation Index (FI): the mass of the largest fragment ÷ total mass of all fragments Fragment Dispersion (FD): the maximum distance between different fragments of a single fall

Shock Stage* (olivine-bearing meteorites) (Stöffler et al., 1991; revised by Schmitt et al., 1994, Schmitt and Stöffler, 1995, and Rubin, 2004)

Shock Stage (orthopyroxene-bearing meteorites) (Rubin et al., 1997), in conjunction with olivine and plagioclase data characterized by Stöffler et al., 1991; Schmitt et al., 1994; Schmitt and Stöffler, 1995; and Izawa et al., 2011)

Shock Pressure Calibration (Schmitt, 2000)

Diagram credit: Xie et al., 85th MetSoc (2022 #6487) 'Is Diaplectic Glass A Glass?'

Chromite as a Shock Indicator (Rubin, 2003)

Shock Indicators in IVA Irons (Yang et al., 2011)

Shock Stages in Eucrites (Kanemaru et al., 2019)

Meteorite Pairing (P. Benoit et al., 2000)

Prel = Prel* × Pss × Pbrec × Pcre × Psolar × P3He × Ptage × Pweath × PNatTL

Pairing score (%) / Pairing likelihood >90_______Likely 80–90_____Probable 70–80_____Possible 50–70_____Potential <50_______Candidate or Unlikely

Compositional Relationships Among Bodies (Lindstrom et al., 1994; Mayne et al., 2008)

MINERAL COMPOSITIONS *Fe/Mn (pyx) plag. Fe-metal sulfide secondary alter. HED 20––40 An90 Y Troilite none Angrites 60&––90 An99 N Troilite none Moon 70 An92 Y Troilite none Earth 60 An50 N Pyrrh. hydrous phases Mars 35 An50 N Pyrrh. hydrous phases Venus 55 — N Pyrrh. anhydrous phases

*Differences in Fe/Mn ratios are attributed to initial accretional abundances. The primordial value of the Fe/Mn ratio in pyroxenes remains constant regardless of differentiation processes, and is considered to be diagnostic for the origin of each planetary body.

Nucleosynthetic Anomalies Among Parent Bodies For O, Cr, Ca, Ti, Ni, Mo, Ru, and Nd Burkhardt et al. (2017)

Diagrams credit: Burkhardt et al., MAPS, vol. 52, #5, pp. 815-817 (2017) 'In search of the Earth-forming reservoir: Mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic characterizations of theungrouped achondrite NWA 5363/NWA 5400 and selected chondrites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maps.12834)

Formational Relationships Among Ureilites (Cohen et al., 2004)

Accretion Process

Accretion from dust to gas-giant planet occurred within 3 m.y. ('Pebble Accretion and the Diversity of Planetary Systems', J. E. Chambers, The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 825, 2016):

Accretion ages, in m.y. after CAIs (Sugiura and Fijiya, 2011, 2012; Budde et al., 2018):

magmatic irons=0.0 (±0.9) pallasites=0.0 (±0.9) mesosiderites=0.0 (±0.9) angrites=0.5 (±0.4) HED=0.8 (±0.3) aubrites=<1.5 NWA 011=<1.5 ureilites=~1.0 acapulcoites=~1.2 Tafassasset=~2.0 chondrites: E=1.8; O=2.1; R=2.4; CK=2.6; CO=2.8; CV=3.0; CH/CB=3.3; CM=~3.5; CI=~3.5; CR=~3.6

Melting/Differentiation Process

Oxygen Buffer Systems

Cosmochronology

Visit Jim Hurley's informative webpage on the subject of Radiometric Dating.

© 1997–2025 by David Weir

CO3 Petrographic Types
after Sears et al., 1991

TL sens. (120°C)

3.0 <0.017

3.1 0.017–0.030

3.2 0.030–0.054

3.3 0.054–0.100

3.4 0.100–0.170

3.5 0.170–0.300

3.6 0.300–0.540

3.7 0.540–1.000

3.8 1.000–1.700

3.9 >1.700

Diagram credit: J. N. Grossman & A. J. Brearley, MAPS, vol. 40, p. 87 (2005)
'The onset of metamorphism in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites'
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1945-5100.2005.tb00366.x)

A Chemical-Petrologic Classification for the Chondritic Meteorites (Van Schmus and Wood, 1967)
Revised by Tait et al. (2015) to include criteria for petrologic type 7, incorporating updates from Sears and Dodd (1998), Brearley and Jones (1998), #Dodd (1981), and Tait et al.* (2014)

Diagram credit: A.W. Tait et al., GCA, vol. 134, p. 192 (2014)
'Investigation of the H7 ordinary chondrite, Watson 012: Implications for recognition and classification of Type 7 meteorites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.02.039)

Weathering Grade (Cassidy, 1980; Otto, 1992)
(based on surficial rust and evaporites, used for Antarctic meteorites)

Weathering Grade (Wlotzka, 1993)∗
(based on oxidation of FeNi-metal and FeS; primarily used for ordinary chondrites)

∗Revised by Zurfluh et al. (2016)
(based on improved weathering parameters applied to a greater number of meteorite samples)

Weathering Index (Rubin and Huber, 2005)
(based on the amount of staining in silicates, used for oxidized CK and R chondrites)

Fragmentation Index (FI):

the mass of the largest fragment ÷ total mass of all fragments

Fragment Dispersion (FD):

the maximum distance between different fragments of a single fall

Diagram credit: Xie et al., 85th MetSoc (2022 #6487)
'Is Diaplectic Glass A Glass?'

P_rel = P_rel* × P_ss × P_brec × P_cre × P_solar × P_3He × P_tage × P_weath × P_NatTL

Pairing score (%) / Pairing likelihood

>90_____Likely
80–90_Probable
70–80_Possible
50–70_Potential
<50_____Candidate or Unlikely

Compositional Relationships Among Bodies
(Lindstrom et al., 1994; Mayne et al., 2008)

Nucleosynthetic Anomalies Among Parent Bodies For O, Cr, Ca, Ti, Ni, Mo, Ru, and Nd
Burkhardt et al. (2017)

Diagrams credit: Burkhardt et al., MAPS, vol. 52, #5, pp. 815-817 (2017)
'In search of the Earth-forming reservoir: Mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic characterizations of the
ungrouped achondrite NWA 5363/NWA 5400 and selected chondrites' (http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/maps.12834)

magmatic irons=0.0 (±0.9)
pallasites=0.0 (±0.9)
mesosiderites=0.0 (±0.9)
angrites=0.5 (±0.4)
HED=0.8 (±0.3)
aubrites=<1.5
NWA 011=<1.5
ureilites=~1.0
acapulcoites=~1.2
Tafassasset=~2.0
chondrites: E=1.8; O=2.1; R=2.4; CK=2.6; CO=2.8; CV=3.0; CH/CB=3.3; CM=~3.5; CI=~3.5; CR=~3.6