Classification: HOW (Howardite)
Observed fall: No
Year found: 2020
City, Country: Marocco
Mass: 312 g
Petrography & Geochemistry >>
In collection
Weight #1 : 2,43 g
Weight #2 : g
Certificate of authenticity: Yes (2)
The NWA 13370 meteorite is classified as a Howardite (HOW) and was discovered in Northwest Africa. Howardites are part of the HED (Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite) group of achondritic meteorites believed to originate from the asteroid 4 Vesta. As a polymict breccia, NWA 13370 is composed of a mixture of eucritic and diogenitic fragments that have been cemented together through impact processes on Vesta’s surface. This meteorite showcases a heterogeneous texture with clasts of basaltic eucrites and orthopyroxenitic diogenites embedded in a fine-grained matrix. The diverse composition of NWA 13370 reflects a complex history of volcanic activity and collisional events, providing valuable insights into the geological evolution and differentiation of Vesta. Studying this meteorite enhances our understanding of planetary formation and the dynamic processes that shaped the early solar system.
When examining a Howardite (HOW) meteorite under a light microscope, several distinctive features can be observed:
The meteorite exhibits a brecciated texture characterized by a mixture of eucritic and diogenitic clasts embedded in a fine-grained matrix. Eucritic clasts appear as lighter-colored, coarse-grained fragments composed mainly of plagioclase feldspar and clinopyroxene, exhibiting interlocking textures typical of basaltic rocks. Diogenitic clasts, on the other hand, are darker and rich in orthopyroxene, displaying a more crystalline and granular texture indicative of deep-seated igneous rocks.
