Lunar Meteorite: Gadamis 002, 003, & 004
paired stones
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 109 Gadamis 002Nalut, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorth) History: This meteorite was reportedly found in Libya in the vicinity of Ghadames in 2020, purchased by Jay Piatek in 2021. Physical characteristics: Three identically appearing stones found together (448 g, 182 g, 82 g). The stones have a light green sand-blasted exterior, some smoothed dark fusion crust is also present. Broken surfaces reveal a very fine-grained light-gray interior with a few scattered white grains. Some very thin shock melt veins are visible. Petrography: (C. Agee,UNM) Microprobe analysis reveals a significantly brecciated, cataclastic anorthitic plagioclase host making up 98-99% of this meteorite. Poikiolitically enclosed in the plagioclase are sparse, very small olivine and pyroxene blebs (most in the range 5-10 μm). Larger pyroxene grains are scarce with two larger grains in size range of 300 μm observed in the microprobe mount. Together, olivine and pyroxene make up a total of ~1-2% of this meteorite. Tiny (<1 μm) sulfide blebs are ubiquitous. Scattered titaniferous chromite (1-5 μm) were also observed. Geochemistry: (C. Agee, UNM) Plagioclase An96.7±0.5Ab3.1±0.6Or0.2±0.1, n=6; olivine Fa42.7±0.6, Fe/Mn=101±5, n=7; pigeonite Fs23.9±5.8Wo9.4±0.8, Fe/Mn=74±6, n=3; augite Fs12.8±10.7Wo35.0±9.4, Fe/Mn=82±13, n=3. Classification: Lunar ferroan anorthosite, cataclastic. Olivine, pigeonite and plagioclase compositional values plot within the FAN suite field (after Warren, 1993). The very high anorthite content (98-99%) and cataclastic texture is similar to Apollo 16 cataclastic FANs. Specimens: 20.5 g on deposit at UNM, Jay Piatek holds the main masses. |
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 109 Gadamis 003Ghadamis, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorth) History: This meteorite was reportedly found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002 in 2021, purchased by Abdelhadi Aithiba in 2021. Physical characteristics: Two identically appearing stones (670 and 600 g) found together at the Gadamis 002 site. The stones have a light green sand-blasted exterior, patches of smoothed dark fusion crust, as well as some light tan desert weathering. Polished sawcut surfaces reveal a brecciated, very fine-grained light gray interior with a few scattered white grains. Petrography: (C. Agee,UNM) Microprobe analysis reveals a significantly brecciated, cataclastic anorthitic plagioclase host making up 98-99% of this meteorite. Poikiolitically enclosed in the plagioclase are sparse, very small olivine and pyroxene blebs (most in the range 5-10 μm). Larger pyroxene grains are scarce with two larger grains in size range of 300 μm observed in the microprobe mount. Together, olivine and pyroxene make up a total of ~1-2% of this meteorite. Tiny (<1 μm) sulfide blebs are ubiquitous. Scattered titaniferous chromite (1-5 μm) were also observed. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Plagioclase An96.1±0.4Ab3.8±0.4Or0.2±0.1, n=6; olivine Fa39.1±0.8, Fe/Mn=105±5, n=6; pigeonite Fs32.9±4.9Wo6.1±2.5, Fe/Mn=59±4, n=5. Classification: Lunar ferroan anorthosite, cataclastic. Olivine, pigeonite and plagioclase compositional values plot within the FAN suite field (after Warren, 1993). The very high anorthite content (98-99%) and cataclastic texture is similar to Apollo 16 cataclastic FANs. Paired with Gadamis 002. Specimens: 24.32 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon and Craig Zlimen hold the main masses. |
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 109 Gadamis 004Ghadamis, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorth) History: This meteorite was found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002 and 003, purchased by Mark Lyon in 2022. Physical characteristics: Single stone with patches of dark fusion crust and smooth, light green-colored patches. One side is more irregular with a weathered surface that was fractured at some time in the past. Polished sawcut surfaces reveal cm-size clasts of anorthosite bounded by darker, fine-grained, cataclastic zones. Petrography: (C. Agee, UNM) Microprobe analysis reveals a significantly brecciated, cataclastic anorthitic plagioclase host making up 98-99% of this meteorite. Poikiolitically enclosed in the plagioclase are sparse, very small olivine and pyroxene blebs (most in the range 5-10 μm). Larger pyroxene grains are scarce with two larger grains in size range of 300 μm observed in the microprobe mount. Together, olivine and pyroxene make up a total of ~1-2% of this meteorite. Geochemistry: (C. Agee, UNM) Plagioclase An96.0±0.1Ab3.8±0.1Or0.2±0.1, n=4; olivine Fa38.9±1.0, Fe/Mn=105±3, n=4; pigeonite Fs34.0±4.8Wo5.4±2.3, Fe/Mn=60±3, n=4; augite Fs5.7Wo46.1, Fe/Mn=32. Classification: Lunar ferroan anorthosite, cataclastic. Olivine, pigeonite and plagioclase compositional values plot within the FAN suite field (after Warren, 1993). The very high anorthite content (98-99%) and cataclastic texture is similar to Apollo 16 cataclastic FANs. Paired with Gadamis 002 and Gadamis 003. Specimens: 21 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon holds the main mass. |
| Randy Says… I have not studied Gadamis clan. I assume that this is a new meteorite because none of the other lunar meteorites from Libya are described as anorthosites. |
More InformationMeteoritical Bulletin Database ReferencesWarren P.H. (1993) A concise compilation of petrologic information on possibly pristine nonmare Moon rocks. American Mineralogist 78 (3-4), 360-376. |