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RAGLAND, AN LL3.4 CHONDRITE FIND FROM NEW MEXICO
Author(s) -
Recca S.I.,
Scott E.R.D.,
Keil K.,
Clayton R.N.,
Mayeda T.K.,
Huss G.I,
Jarosewich E.,
Weeks K.S.,
Hasan F.A.,
Sears D.W.G.,
Wieler R.,
Signer P.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
meteoritics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 0026-1114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.1986.tb01243.x
Subject(s) - chondrite , olivine , pyroxene , radiogenic nuclide , geology , geochemistry , mineralogy , weathering , metamorphic rock , meteorite , astrobiology , mantle (geology) , physics
The Ragland, New Mexico chondrite was found in 1978, and consists of a single stone of 12.16 kg that broke into three pieces. The stone is moderately weathered and has a pronounced chondritic texture. Bulk composition favors an LL classification, and modal analysis and oxygen isotopic composition are consistent with this. The thermoluminescence sensitivity of 0.056 ± 0.020 normalized to Dhajala, compositional variability of olivine (mean Fa 18.3, σ = 10.1) and low‐Ca pyroxene (mean Fs 14.6, σ = 6.7), and Ca concentrations in olivine indicate metamorphic subtype 3.4 ± 0.1. The isotopically heavy oxygen composition, which is characteristic of subtypes 3.0–3.1, may be a primary characteristic and not a result of weathering. Low concentrations of radiogenic 40 Ar and planetary 36 Ar suggest noble gas loss.