Quantitative 3D Textural and Petrofabric Analysis of the Northwest Africa 10645 Nakhlite Using X-Ray Computed Tomography

Martian meteorites are currently the only samples available from Mars to study and are critical for elucidating variability in martian igneous processes over time [e.g., 1]. Quantifying igneous textures and fabrics can help us understand how rocks are formed and emplaced [e.g., 2]. These features are innately three dimensional (3D) and are often strongly heterogeneous in cumulate rocks, like the nakhlites and poikilitic shergottites [2–3], where there can be substantial textural variations between and within individual samples. However, most quantitative textural and fabric analyses on these samples have been limited to two dimensions through measurements made on polished petrographic thin sections. Thus, 3D petrographic measurements are imperative for both representative sample characterization and accurately interpreting magmatic processes. The emplacement of martian meteorites at or near the surface of Mars (i.e., extrusive or intrusive, respectively) remains enigmatic due to the innate lack of geologic context [e.g., 1], but conducting 3D quantitative textural and fabric analyses can help elucidate emplacement mechanisms and settings on Mars.