An unusual layered mineral in chondrules and aggregates of the Allende carbonaceous chondrite

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X ray (EDS) and electron energy loss (EELS) spectroscopy examinations of the microstructures and phase relationships of minerals in opaque spherules in the Allende chondrules and aggregates are reported. The studies were carried out on petrographic thin sections which were ion-thinned. A significant metasomatic effect was observed in a highly oxidizing condition of a later cooled stage. An unusually layered Fe-, Ni-, and O-rich mineral related to serpentine was found to occur in the opaque specimen, and was judged to occur by alteration of olivine. It is noted that low temperature and a hydrous condition would have been required for the formation of the serpentine in the spherules, the first observed in Allende. It is suggested that the aqueous conditions occurred before the final stage of the meteorite formation, and proceeded in a nonterrestrial manner.