Lunar Meteorite: Gadamis 002 clan
The Gadamis 002 clan consists of paired stones Gadamis 002, 003, 005, & 006
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 110 Gadamis 002Nalut, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorthosite) 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. 110 Gadamis 003Ghadamis, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorthosite) 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. 111 Gadamis 004Ghadamis, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorthosite) 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. |
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 111 Gadamis 005Ghadamis, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorthosite) History: This meteorite was found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002, 003 and 004, purchased by Mark Lyon in 2022. Physical characteristics: Single stone with patches of dark fusion crust and smooth, light green-colored patches. 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: (A. Ross, UNM) Plagioclase An96.6±0.7Ab3.1±0.7Or0.2±0.1, n=6; olivine Fa30.7±1.7, Fe/Mn=109±10, n=5; pigeonite Fs27.8±5.2Wo7.2±8.0, Fe/Mn=53±3, n=3; augite Fs15.3±4.7Wo39.4±5.1, Fe/Mn=44±9, 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. Paired with Gadamis 002, Gadamis 003, and Gadamis 004. Specimens: 20.5 g on deposit at UNM, Mark Lyon holds the main mass. |
| from The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 112 Gadamis 006Ghadamis, Libya Classification: Lunar meteorite (anorthosite) History: This meteorite was found in Libya at the same location as Gadamis 002, 003, and 004, purchased by Ziyao Wang in 2022. Physical characteristics: Single stone with patches of dark fusion crust and smooth, light green-colored patches. Exposed 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, minor amounts of zircon, spinel, and silica were also detected. Geochemistry: (A. Ross, UNM) Plagioclase An96.0±0.6Ab3.8±0.5Or0.2±0.1, n=4; olivine Fa39.5±0.3, Fe/Mn=103±5, n=6; pigeonite Fs39.2±3.2Wo5.6±3.7, Fe/Mn=61±3, n=3; augite Fs18.2±11.1Wo33.1±11.8, Fe/Mn=54±6, 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. Paired with Gadamis 002, Gadamis 003, Gadamis 004, and Gadamis 005. Specimens: 20 g on deposit at UNM, Ziyao Wang 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. Gadamis 001 is a martian meteorite (shergottite). |
More InformationMeteoritical Bulletin Database Gadamis 002 | 003 | 004 | 005 | 006 References Izawa M. R. M., Applin D. M., Ziegler A., Johnson H., Peters K., Lambert S., Ledoux T., and Cloutis E. A. (2025) Modal mineralogy of feldspathic lunar meteorites. 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, abstract no. 2597. Warren P.H. (1993) A concise compilation of petrologic information on possibly pristine nonmare Moon rocks. American Mineralogist 78 (3-4), 360-376. |