Thermal metamorphismMost chondrites have experienced thermal metamorphism, resulting in changes in texture, mineralogy and possibly chemical composition. The physical conditions for metamorphism range from approximately 400 to 1000 C at low lithostatic pressure. Metamorphism may have resulted from decay of short-lived radionuclides, electromagnetic induction or accretion of hot materials. Several thermal models for chondrite parent bodies have been proposed. The least metamorphosed type-3 chondrites probably carry the most information about the early solar system, but even these have been affected to some degree by thermal processing.
Document ID
19890040109
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Mcsween, Harry Y., Jr. (Tennessee, University Knoxville, United States)
Sears, Derek W. G. (Arkansas, University Fayetteville, United States)
Dodd, Robert T. (New York, State University Stony Brook, United States)