Korra Korrabes: A new,large H3 chondrite breccia from Namibia |
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| Authors: | L D ASHWAL |
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| Abstract: | Abstract— A new, large, ordinary chondrite has been recovered from near the strewn field of Gibeon iron meteorites in Namibia, and is designated Korra Korrabes, after the farm property on which the specimens were found in 1996–2000. A total of ～140 kg of related specimens were recovered, including a large stone of 22 kg, and hundreds of smaller objects between 2 g and several kilograms. Cut surfaces indicate that Korra Korrabes is a breccia, containing 10–20% of light grey‐brown clasts up to 3 cm across in a uniform, darker grey‐brown host that contains abundant round chondrules, and irregular grains of Fe‐Ni metal and troilite up to 1 cm across. The vast majority of the stone is unshocked, although some clasts show mild shock features (stage S2), and one chondrule fragment is moderately shocked (stage S3). Weathering grade varies between W1 and W2. Microprobe analyses indicate variable compositions of olivine (Fa13.8–27.2, n = 152, percent mean deviation = 7.82%) and low‐Ca pyroxene (multiply twinned clinobronzite, Fs8.4–27.8, n = 68). There is excellent preservation of magmatic textures and mineralogy within many chondrules, including normally zoned olivine (Fa13.8–18.9) and low‐Ca pyroxene (Fs0.2–20.9) phenocrysts, and abundant glass, some of whose compositions are unusually alkaline (Na2O + K2O = 13.6–16.3 wt%) and Ca‐deficient (CaO = 0‐0.75 wt%), seemingly out of magmatic equilibrium with associated clinoenstatite or high‐Al calcic clinopyroxene crystals. Textural and mineralogical features indicate that Korra Korrabes is an H3 chondrite breccia, which represents the largest and least equilibrated stony meteorite yet recovered from Namibia; it is now one of the four largest unequilibrated ordinary chondrites worldwide. |
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