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At least 19 records

A Sr and Nd isotopic study of five Yamato polymict eucrites and a comparison to other Antarctic and ordinary eucrites

Sr and Nd isotopic analysis of five Yamato polymict eucrites indicate that these samples formed at about 4.6 Ga ago with initial Sr and Nd ratios essentially the same as the analyzed non-Antarctic eucrites. The Yamato eucrites have Sr, Sm, and Nd concentrations that consistently lie among the highest found in eucritic samples. This characteristic identifies these Yamato samples as a closely related group. Comparisons between these Yamato samples and other Antarctic polymict eucrites clearly estabishes that they all share some characteristic trace element features. Comparisons of Antarctic polymict eucrites with non-Antarctic ordinary eucrites reveal consistent differences. The most obvious is an enrichment of Rb in the polymict eucrites. These comparisons suggest that the Antarctic polymict eucrites belong to a single large family of material that is itself fairly diverse and distinct from the non-Antarctic eucrites.

Wooden, J. L.↗

Plagioclase Compositions of Eucrites and Eucrite-Type Achondrites

Eucrites are basalts, diabases and gabbros composed of ferroan pigeonite and augite, calcic plagioclase, and a silica phase, with accessory amounts of ilmenite, chromite, Ca-phosphate, troilite, metal and olivine. Many of the gabbroic-textured eucrites are cumulates from a mafic magma, while most other eucrites are close to melt compositions. These are referred to as cumulate and basaltic eucrites. Petrologic, compositional and isotopic studies have identified several mafic achondrites with eucritic mineralogy that have anomalous properties, and some of these are considered to have been derived from different parent asteroids than normal eucrites. These are referred to as eucrite-type achondrites, and they include cumulate and basaltic types. Petrologic studies of eucrites often concentrate on pyroxene compositions to reveal the petrogenetic history of the rocks and plagioclase compositions are less utilized. Here I examine Na and K variations of a suite of basaltic and cumulate eucrites and eucrite-type achondrites.

Mittlefehldt, David W.↗

Petrology of New Stannern-trend Eucrites and Eucrite Genesis

Eucrites are basaltic meteorites of the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) suite that originated on a differentiated asteroid, possibly 4 Vesta. Basaltic eucrites are divided into three subgroups based on composition: main group, Stannern-trend, and Nuevo Laredo-trend. The main group and Nuevo Laredo-trend define a sequence formed by fractional crystallization of pigeonite and plagioclase from primitive parent melts [2, 3]. The Stannern-trend cannot be explained this way, but may rather represent a partial-melt sequence of their parent body. However, this model seems inadequate to explain eucrite siderophile element contents, and it is difficult to develop a single unifying model for petrogenesis of all eucrites. Until recently, there were only four Stannern- trend eucrites. One is an anomalous partial cumulate. There is little geochemical variation among these meteorites, so the Stannern-trend was poorly defined. Geochemical studies have identified four additional eucrites as members of the Stannern-trend; one extends the Stannern-trend closer to the main group [5]. No detailed descriptions of these rocks have been published. In order to better integrate these eucrites into the suite, we have done petrologic study of them. They are: LEW 88010, PCA 82501, PCA 91006 and PCA 91179.

Gardner, K. G.↗

Basaltic volcanism on the eucrite parent body - Petrology and chemistry of the polymict eucrite ALHA80102

The polymict eucrite meteorite ALHA80102 is an unequilibrated breccia of basaltic and gabbroic clasts in a fragmental matrix. Clasts include basalts of many textural types, cumulate gabbro, black 'glass', and ferroan troctolite (plagioclase, silica, Fe-rich olivine, ilmenite, mesostasis). Ferroan troctolite has not been previously reported from eucrites or howardites; it is interpreted as the end-product of fractional crystallization of eucritic magmas. Bulk and trace element compositions (by electron microprobe and INAA) of clasts and matrix from ALHA80102 are similar to those of other eucrites; the meteorite contains clasts similar to Juvinas and to Stannern. A clast of cumulate eucrite gabbro is enriched in the light rare earths (La/Lu = 2XCI). This clast is interpreted as an unrepresentative sample of metamorphically equilibrated gabbro; LREE-enriched magmas need not be invoked. ALHA80102 is similar to other polymict eucrites from the Allan Hills and may be paired with ALHA76005, ALHA77302, and ALHA78040.

Treiman, A. H.↗

High-pressure experiments on magnesian eucrite compositions - Constraints on magmatic processes in the eucrite parent body

Melting experiments were conducted on synthetic analogs of two magnesian eucrite clasts from howardites, Kapoeta clast rho and Yamato 7308 pigeonite-eucrite clast 1, at 1 atm and 1-kbar pressure at oxygen fugacities in the range of iron-wuestite (IW) to iron-quartz-fayalite (IQF). The compositions of liquids and coexisting minerals (olivine-low-Ca pyroxene-plagioclase spinel) were used to constrain possible melting and crystallization processes in the parent bodies of eucrite basalts. In agreement with previous studies, the experimental results at 1 atm indicate that the olivine-low-Ca pyroxene-plagioclase-spinel-liquid and olivine-low Ca pyroxene-spinel-liquid boundaries are reaction boundaries involving olivine. At 1 kbar, however, the olivine primary-phase volume shrinks, and the reaction relationship involving olivine disappears for both boundaries. The maximum pressure attained in a Vesta-sized eucrite parent body (EPB) is about 1 kbar, and these results provide important constraints on models relating the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorite association through melting and differentiation processes.

Bartels, K. S.↗

Mineralogy of the Ibitira eucrite and comparison with other eucrites and lunar samples

Single crystal X-ray and energy dispersive electron-probe techniques are used to study the mineralogy and track history of Ibitira. The mineralogical features of the Ibitire eucrite are described and examined in relation to data for other eucrites and howardites and lunar samples. The processes which transformed a presumed igneous texture into a more complex one are discussed.

Steele, I. M.↗

Mineralogy of the Ibitira eucrite and comparison with other eucrites and lunar samples

The mineralogy of the Ibitira meteorite is studied using single-crystal X-ray and energy-dispersive electron-probe techniques. It is shown that this strongly metamorphosed unbrecciated vesicular eucrite has a primary variolitic and secondary hornfelsic texture dominated by equant grains of pale-brown pyroxene (60%) set in an irregular matrix of plagioclase (30%). Minor phases are detected which indicate igneous crystallization, a prolonged metamorphic history, and vapor deposition. The following sequence of events is suggested as the simplest explanation for the mineralogical features observed: (1) crystallization of the meteorite in a lava flow; (2) prolonged annealing, reduction of primary spinel, and vapor deposition; (3) strong shock sufficient to modify the texture of the plagioclase grains; and (4) sufficient annealing to allow crystallization of the plagioclase as a subparallel mosaic and partial conversion to the low structural state. Evidence for this sequence is examined in detail, particularly in relation to the general features of eucrites, howardites, and mesosiderites

Steele, I. M.↗

The composition of the mantle of the eucrite parent body and the origin of eucrites

Previous estimates of the composition of the EPB have tacitly assumed chondritic abundances of refractory LIL elements. A model is presented here which utilizes refractory element ratios instead. Consideration of these ratios and of known olivine-liquid partition coefficients for Sc, Mg and Si imply that the EPB mantle may be accurately modeled as a simple mixture of 25 percent eucrite + 75 percent olivine. The model also implies that eucrites such as Juvinas and Sioux County were derived by large degrees of partial melting (20-30 percent). Comparison of the model EPB mantle to known meteorite classes indicates a similarity between the element abundances of the EPB and C3 chondrites.

Jones, J. H.↗

The Parent Magmas of the Cumulate Eucrites: A Mass Balance Approach

The cumulate eucrite meteorites are gabbros that are related to the eucrite basalt meteorites. The eucrite basalts are relatively primitive (nearly flat REE patterns with La approx. 8-30 x CI), but the parent magmas of the cumulate eucrites have been inferred as extremely evolved (La to greater than 100 x CI). This inference has been based on mineral/magma partitioning, and on mass balance considering the cumulate eucrites as adcumulates of plagioclase + pigeonite only; both approaches have been criticized as inappropriate. Here, mass balance including magma + equilibrium pigeonite + equilibrium plagiociase is used to test a simple model for the cumulate eucrites: that they formed from known eucritic magma types, that they consisted only of magma + crystals in chemical equilibrium with the magma, and that they were closed to chemical exchange after the accumulation of crystals. This model is tested for major and Rare Earth Elements (REE). The cumulate eucrites Serra de Mage and Moore County are consistent, in both REE and major elements, with formation by this simple model from a eucrite magma with a composition similar to the Nuevo Laredo meteorite: Serra de Mage as 14% magma, 47.5% pigeonite, and 38.5% plagioclase; Moore County as 35% magma, 37.5% pigeonite, and 27.5% plagioclase. These results are insensitive to the choice of mineral/magma partition coefficients. Results for the Moama cumulate eucrite are strongly dependent on choice of partition coefficients; for one reasonable choice, Moama's composition can be modeled as 4% Nuevo Laredo magma, 60% pigeonite, and 36% plagioclase. Selection of parent magma composition relies heavily on major elements; the REE cannot uniquely indicate a parent magma among the eucrite basalts. The major element composition of Y-791195 can be fit adequately as a simple cumulate from any basaltic eucrite composition. However, Y-791195 has LREE abundances and La/Lu too low to be accommodated within the model using any basaltic eucrite composition and any reasonable partition coefficients. Postcumulus loss of incompatible elements seems possible. It is intriguing that Serra de Mage, Moore County, and Moama are consistent with the same parental magma; could they be from the same igneous body on the eucrite parent asteroid (4 Vesta)?

Treiman, Allan H.↗

Composition and evolution of the eucrite parent body - Evidence from rare earth elements

Quantitative modeling of the evolution of rare earth element (REE) abundances in the eucrites, which are plagioclase-pigeonite basalt achondrites, indicates that the main group of eucrites (e.g., Juvinas) might have been produced by approximately 10% equilibrium partial melting of a single type of source region with initial REE abundances which were chondritic relative and absolute. Since the age of the eucrites is about equal to that of the solar system, extensive chemical differentiation of the eucrite parent body prior to the formation of eucrites seems unlikely. If homogeneous accretion is assumed, the bulk composition of the eucrite parent body can be estimated; two estimates are provided, representing different hypotheses as to the ratio of metal to olivine in the parent body. Since a large number of differentiated olivine meteorites, which would represent material from the interior of the parent body, have not been detected, the eucrite parent body is thought to be intact. It is suggested that the asteroid 4 Vesta is the eucrite parent body.

Consolmagno, G. J.↗

Cosmic Ray Exposure Ages, Ar-Ar Ages, and the Origin and History of Eucrites

HED meteorites likely formed at different depths on the large asteroid 4-Vesta, but passed through Vesta-derived, km-sized intermediary bodies (Vestoids), before arriving at Earth. Most eucrites and diogenites (and all howardites) are brecciated, and impact heating disturbed or reset the K-Ar ages (and some Rb-Sr ages) of most eucrites in the time period of approx. 3.4 - 4.1 Gyr ago. Some basaltic eucrites and most cumulate eucrites, however, are not brecciated. We recently showed that the Ar-39 - Ar-40 ages for several of these eucrites tightly cluster about a value of 4.48 +/- 0.02 Gyr, and we argue that this time likely represents a single large impact event on Vesta, which ejected these objects from depth and quenched their temperatures. A different parent body has been suggested for cumulate eucrites, although the Ar-Ar ages argue for a common parent. Similarities in the cosmic-ray (space) exposure ages for basaltic eucrites and diogenites also have been used to infer a common parent body for some HEDs. Here we present CRE ages of several cumulate and unbrecciated basaltic (UB) eucrites and compare these with CRE ages of other HEDs. This comparison also has some interesting implications for the relative locations of various HED types on Vesta and/or the Vestoids.

Wakefield, Kelli↗

The Mineralogy and Petrology of Anomalous Eucrite Emmaville

It has long been known that certain basaltic achondrites share similarities with eucrites. These eucrite-like achondrites have distinct isotopic compositions and petrologic characteristics indicative of formation on a separate parent body from the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) clan (e.g., Ibitira, Northwest Africa (NWA) 011). Others show smaller isotopic variations but are otherwise petrologically and compositionally indistinguishable from basaltic eucrites (e.g., Pasamonte, Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91007). The Emmaville eucrite has a delta O-17 value of -0.137 plus or minus 0.024 per mille (1 sigma), which is substantially different from the eucrite mean of -0.246 plus or minus 0.014 per mille (2 sigma), but similar to those of A-881394 and Bunburra Rockhole (BR). Currently little data exist for Emmaville in terms of petrology or bulk composition. Studying anomalous eucrites allows us to more completely understand the numbers of asteroids represented by eucrite- like basalts and thus constrain the heterogeneity of the HED suite. In this study, we present our preliminary petrological and mineral composition results for Emmaville.

Barrett, T. J.↗

The abundances of F, Cl, and H2O in eucrites: Implications for the origin of volatile depletion in the asteroid 4 Vesta

We conducted a petrologic study of apatite within eight unbrecciated, non-cumulate eucrites and two monomict, non-cumulate eucrites. These data were combined with previously published data to quantify the abundances of F, Cl, and H2O in the bulk silicate portion of asteroid 4 Vesta (BSV). Using a combination of apatite-based melt hygrometry/chlorometry and appropriately paired volatile/refractory element ratios, we determined that BSV has 3.0–7.2 ppm F, 0.39–1.8 ppm Cl, and 3.6–22 ppm H2O. The abundances of F and H2O are depleted in BSV relative to CI chondrites to a similar degree as F and H2O in the bulk silicate portion of the Moon. This degree of volatile depletion in BSV is similar to what has been determined previously for many moderately volatile elements in 4 Vesta (e.g., Na, K, Zn, Rb, Cs, and Pb). In contrast, Cl is depleted in 4 Vesta by a greater degree than what is recorded in samples from Earth or the Moon. Based on the Cl-isotopic compositions of eucrites and the bulk rock Cl/F ratios determined in this study, the eucrites likely formed through serial magmatism of a mantle with heterogeneous δ37Cl and Cl/F, not as extracts from a partially crystallized global magma ocean. Furthermore, the volatile depletion and Cl-isotopic heterogeneity recorded in eucrites is likely inherited, at least in part, from the precursor materials that accreted to form 4 Vesta and is unlikely to have resulted solely from degassing of a global magma ocean, magmatic degassing of eucrite melts, and/or volatile loss during thermal metamorphism. Although our results can be reconciled with the past presence of wide-scale melting on 4 Vesta (i.e., a partial magma ocean), any future models for eucrite petrogenesis involving a global magma ocean would need to account for the preservation of a heterogeneous eucrite source with respect to Cl/F ratios and Cl isotopes.

Francis M. Mccubbin↗

Thermodynamic constraints on the textural evolution of eucrite, EET 90020

Basaltic eucrites, which are possibly parts of the Vestan crust, formed as either lava flows or intrusions, and can offer insights into early crust formation. However most eucrites have experienced thermal metamorphism, which exacerbates the challenges of understanding these samples. A variety of petrogenetic models such as, partial melting of a primitive source, fractional crystallization of magmas emplaced in a primitive crust, and/or partial melting of a eucritic source coupled with melt mixing and assimilation have been proposed in order to explain observed petrologic and chemical characteristics of eucrites. EET 90020 is an unbrecciated eucrite that has experienced significant thermal metamorphism, with temperatures of metamorphic equilibration calculated to be ~840-1040°C. Its petrologic history remains contentious, in part due to differences in trace element analyses [10,17, this work], which has led to multiple metamorphic interpretations [8,10-11]. Here, we combined petrologic observations, chemical analyses, and thermodynamic modeling, to interpret micro-domain textures identified in EET 90020 and better constrain its petrologic history. Ultimately, the development of such textures is a direct result of the geologic processes operating on a young Vesta or similar asteroid. Sample description: We identified three textural domains in EET 90020 (Figure 1); (I) A coarse grain domain with granoblastic plagioclase and pyroxene, (II) a medium grain domain with curved grain boundaries between plagioclase and pyroxene, and (III) a fine grain domain dominated by tridymite that fills in interstitial space between spherical plagioclase. Major element chemistry in phases is consistent across domains. Pyroxene have distinctive high Ca lamellae (Wo40.92En28.1Fs31.0) forming from the low-Ca pigeonite host (Wo3.5En33.7Fs62.8). There are small amounts of fayalitic olivine along pyroxene/oxide grain boundaries, where pyroxenes have reacted with ilmenite/chromite clasts. Plagioclase is anorthitic (Avg ~An88), with little variation (An86-92.5). Trace element bulk rock analyses were collected via ICP-MS and individual mineral analyses with LA-ICP-MS (Figure 2). The bulk sample has an observable enrichment in light rare earth elements, with a notable depletion in Eu. Plagioclase is enriched in LREEs, depleted in HREEs, and has a positive Eu anomaly while pyroxene is enriched in HREEs with a negative Eu anomaly. Variations in trace element analyses is likely influenced by the presence of phosphates because are highly enriched in REEs and have a dramatic effect on the bulk domain compositions. Thermodynamic modeling: The software package, Perple_X, was used to calculate mineral phase equilibria over a range of conditions using a Gibbs free energy minimization approach [12]. Models used all major/minor elements except P2O5. Thermodynamic properties from [13] were used to constrain endmember phase stabilities. Activity models were used to describe mixing in phases with solid solution. Isochemical P-T phase diagrams were constructed for the bulk thin section, and the coarse, medium and fine grain domain compositions. Domain compositions were determined using microprobe analyses of phases identified in each domain and observed modal mineral abundancies. Thermodynamically stable pyroxene compositions were extracted from model results and compared to pyroxene compositions collected via EMPA, allowing us to calculate temperatures for metamorphic equilibrium. Results: Results that use the coarse domain composition (Fig. 3a) demonstrate overlap at T ~ 1020°C indicating high T equilibration. There was no overlap for the medium and fine grain domains, or the bulk composition (e.g., Fig. 3b) indicating that these are not equilibrium assemblages. These results were replicated using data from [8,20]. Discussion: The disequilibrium results from the bulk rock, fine grain and medium grain models imply that EET 90020 was modified during and/or after peak metamorphism (open system behavior). However, this is in contrast to the coarse domain where it appears as if equilibrium was maintained. We suggest that this conflict is explained by highly localized equilibrium occurring at millimeter length-scales, which has been observed in terrestrial metamorphism where aqueous fluid infiltrate [14] or melt loss occurs [15]. It is unlikely that aqueous alteration was significant in modifying the bulk composition of EET 90020, because it lacks hydrated minerals. However, the presence of melt is supported by the presence of an abundance of curved grain boundaries and spherical grains in the medium and fine grain domains This contrasts the coarse domain, where grain boundaries are angular. Given the evidence for disequilibrium in the medium and fine grain domains, it would be inappropriate to draw additional conclusions about textural evolution using thermodynamic models of those domains. However, modeling results of the coarse grain domain, where equilibrium was maintained, can provide useful insights into the geologic evolution of EET 90020. We approximate maximum metamorphic temperatures, using the Ca component in pyroxene, at ~1020°C (Fig. 4), which is consistent with previous two-pyroxene thermometry [11]. At this temperature, up to 10 vol % melt can be produced in the coarse grain domain, which is at the boundary of minimum melt needed in order to segregate and form a melt network [16]. Tridymite and plagioclase would be the first minerals to melt out during heating starting ~990°C. This is consistent with the observed melt textures formed by tridymite and plagioclase in the fine grain domain. We suggest that a partial melting model best explains the textural development of EET 90020. Upon heating, melt generated was either trapped, resulting in no net change in the localized rock composition, or migrated, resulting in disequilibrium between pyroxene and the surrounding matrix. A positive Eu anomaly in plagioclase indicates that all of the plagioclase was melted previously. This is consistent with previous studies that have suggested that EET 90020 represents a residual eucrite that experienced partial melting and subsequent melt loss [8]. We speculate that partial melting could have occurred when EET 90020 was heated in the asteroid’s lower crust or adjacent to an intrusion [7]. Future work will study other, texturally heterogeneous samples to see if EET 90020 presents a unique circumstance or whether crustal partial melting was ubiquitous on the eucrite asteroid.

Eucrites↗

The Origin of Eucrites: An Experimental Perspective

The origin of eucrites has been the subject of debate. At issue is whether high-Mg# eucrites such as Sioux County are primitive or evolved liquids. We believe that the problem of the origin of eucrites is essentially solved. Problems associated with the petrogenesis of other achondrite groups remain, but the eucrites, taken as a whole, seem to present a clear and understandable story that we will present using experiments, analyses, and calculations. The two traditional eucrite groupings, the partial melting trend a.k.a. Stannem trend) and the fractional crystallization trend (a.k.a. Nuevo Laredo trend) have both been reproduced experimentally. The partial melting trend culminates in Sioux County. Sioux County is also an acceptable starting point for the fractional crystallization trend. The implication of these experimental results is that it is extremely difficult to relate the eucrites to diogenites, a group of pyroxene cumulates that conceivably could have crystallized from eucrite parent magmas.

Jones, J. H.↗

The Abundances of F, Cl, and H2O in 4Vesta from Eucrites

The abundance and distribution of magmatic volatiles (i.e., H, C, N, F, S, and Cl) within the silicate portion of a differentiated planetary body has important consequences on its thermochemical evolution. However, the abundances of magmatic volatiles within differentiated bodies are difficult to quantify, and they are often depleted by varying degrees relative to CI chondrites. The mechanisms of depletion are not well constrained and could relate to intrinsic volatile depletion of the building blocks that formed the bodies, high temperature processes that result from accretion, post-accretion loss through parent body geological processes and large-scale impacts, and/or redistribution within a parent body through processes like core formation [1–4]. In the present study, we aim to constrain the abundances of F, Cl, and H2O in eucrites to better understand the magnitude of volatile depletion on 4Vesta. To accomplish this objective, we report electron microprobe analyses of apatite from seven unbrecciated, non-cumulate eucrites (i.e., CMS 04049,GRA 98098, LEW 88010, MAC 02522, MAC 041169,QUE 94484, and QUE 97053) and two monomict, non-cumulate eucrites (i.e., Berthoud and Stannern). In combination with previously published data on eucrite-hosted apatite, we determine Cl/F and H2O/F ratios in bulk rock eucrites through the application of apatite-based melt hygrometry and chlorometry [e.g., 5–7].Additionally, we estimate the bulk rock abundances of F in six non-cumulate eucrites (i.e., GRA 98098, MAC041169, PCA 91078, QUE 97053, Stannern, and Berthoud), which we combine with previously published bulk rock F data on non-cumulate eucrites[8] to constrain the abundances of F, Cl, and H2O in 4Vesta using appropriately paired volatile/refractory element ratios for F, followed by Cl/F and H2O/F ratios for Cl and H2O, respectively.

F M McCubbin↗

Solutions to problems of weathering in Antarctic eucrites

Neutron activation analysis was performed for major and trace elements on a suite of eucrites from both Antarctic and non-Antarctic sources. The chemistry was examined to see if there was an easy way to distinguish Antarctic eucrites that had been disturbed in their trace elements systematics from those that had normal abundances relative to non-Antarctic eucrites. There was no simple correlation found, and identifying the disturbed meteorites still remains a problem. In addition, a set of mineral separates from an eucrite were analyzed. The results showed no abnormalities in the chemistry and provides a possible way to use Antarctic eucrites that were disturbed in modelling of the eucrite parent body.

Strait, Melissa M.↗