[meteorite-list] Question On the Occurance of Olivine with Spinel Structure in Meteorites

From: E.L. Jones <jonee_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:46:22 2004
Message-ID: <3AF3A923.BF399B39_at_epix.net>

Hello List,

Is anyone aware of any research where the olivine in meteorites was
found to exist in the spinel crystal structure?

The reason I ask is that finding this spinel phase would indicate a very
large body from which the meteorite was liberated/excavated. Olivine at
great pressure (about 30 kilometers into the mantle, here on earth)
shifts crystal structure to a more densely compacted form. Finding a
spinel structure in a meteorite could give some indication of the size
of the parent body.

Thanks in Advance,
Elton
Received on Sat 05 May 2001 03:19:21 AM PDT