Aqueous AlterationA secondary process whereby liquid water modified the nature of anhydrous primary nebular components. In general, this process induced decomposition and changed the structures and compositions of primary minerals and formed secondary minerals in their place. This process occurred in the early history of meteorite parent bodies that contained water ice. The most effective heat source is considered to be the decay of short-lived radioactive nuclide such as Aluminium-26, but other causes have been suggested. The degree of aqueous alteration of meteorites is categorized as type 1 (most altered) to type 3 (least altered), according to mineralogy and petrology.
Document ID
20190001389
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Book
Authors
Kebukawa, Yoko (Yokohama National Univ. Japan)
Zolensky, Michael E. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)