Collection
Classification: L5 (Low iron) chondrite, Melt Breccia
Observed fall: No
Year found: 2016
City, Country: Northwest Africa
Mass: 137 g
In collection
Weight #1 : 13,50 g
Certificate of authenticity: Yes (1)
NWA 13144 is an ordinary chondritic meteorite classified as an L5 (Low iron) chondrite melt breccia, discovered in Northwest Africa. As an L5 chondrite, it has undergone moderate thermal metamorphism, which has homogenized its mineral compositions while preserving some original chondritic textures. The “melt breccia” designation indicates that this meteorite experienced significant impact-induced melting and brecciation on its parent asteroid. This process resulted in a mixture of recrystallized molten material and fragmented chondritic clasts. Studying NWA 13144 provides valuable insights into the thermal and collisional history of its parent body, enhancing our understanding of the processes that shaped the early solar system.
When examining a Main-group pallasite meteorite under a light microscope, several distinctive features can be observed:
The meteorite displays a mixture of recrystallized melt regions and fragmented chondritic clasts due to impact-induced melting and brecciation on its parent body. The original chondrules—spherical silicate grains typical in chondrites—are often indistinct or blurred because moderate thermal metamorphism has partially obliterated their boundaries. You can observe a fine-grained matrix where the melt has cooled rapidly, exhibiting a homogeneous texture. Embedded within this matrix are coarser-grained clasts composed of equilibrated minerals like olivine and pyroxene, which show uniform compositions due to thermal equilibration. Metallic iron-nickel grains and troilite (FeS) appear as opaque, reflective inclusions under reflected light microscopy.
