[meteorite-list] Meteorite with holes?!?

From: bernd.pauli_at_paulinet.de <bernd.pauli_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Aug 18 10:12:04 2004
Message-ID: <DIIE.00000032000026AD_at_paulinet.de>

> Just received what looks like an ordinary chondrite, but the weird thing is
> that it is loaded with holes in the surface. The 37g piece has 6 sides of
> which every one has some type of hole. They are quite prolific throughout
> the whole stone and vary widely in size. I've created a quick page at the
> address below if anyone is interested in taking a look. I will probably
> slice it at some stage to check out the interior and will post more photos
> at that stage. I'd be interested in hearing any comments or theories on
> this one as this is the first meteorite I've personally seen with so many holes.

> http://www.meteoritesaustralia.com/features/holes.html


Graham Christensen wrote:

> It looks to me like the holes are just where chondrules have
> fallen out of the matrix ... perhaps a loose matrix or something?

Jeff Kuyken responded:

> ... however the stone is no less solid than most other ordinary
> chondrites out there. The holes are also too varied in size and
> often of an irregular nature to be the result of dislodged chondrules.
> Quite a few are also more of an oval shape too.

Jeff K. also wrote:

> If they are vesicles, I don't know how they could have
> formed. Maybe the stone was part of a larger impact melt?


Mark Ford contributed:

> You get a similar effect with some NWA 869's, tiny pits all
> over the surface, possibly weathered out surface chondrules

J?rn Koblitz's take on these holes:

> I think, it's weathered out - better "washed out" - matrix
> material, which has also removed some larger chondrules.

MDF's speculation:

> Now here's some speculation - if you have a meteorite with armored
> chondrites and leave it out to weather, won't the metal rust away first,
> let the chondrules drop out, and leave holes in the rock much like those
> pictured here?

Now my stab:

Like J?rn I am inclined to believe that something has weathered
out here. Now, what could that have been - something roundish:

(a) chondrules
(b) troilite nodules/inclusions/patches


Cheers,

Bernd
Received on Wed 18 Aug 2004 10:11:47 AM PDT