Complex petrogenesis of the Nakhla (SNC) meteorite - Evidence from petrography and mineral chemistryThe Nakhla (SNC) meteorite, of putative Martian origin, consists of euhedra and subhedra of augite and olivine in a fine-grained basaltic mesostasis. This paper presents petrographic and mineral chemical data on the Nakhla meteorite, which were collected to help distinquish among the four existing hypotheses for the formation of olivine in this meteorite. It is concluded that none of these hypotheses can explain the origins of olivine and augite. A new hypothesis is proposed, which is consistent with the data presented. It suggests that the cores of augites and olivines are both xenocrysts from a partially equilibrated source rock.
Document ID
19900046424
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Treiman, A. H. (Boston University MA, United States)