Dar al Gani 978 meteorite (DaG 978 meteorite), Dar al Gani, Jufra District, Libya i
Regional Level Types
Dar al Gani 978 meteorite (DaG 978 meteorite) Strewn Field
Dar al Gani - not defined -
Jufra District District
Libya Country

Carbonaceous Chondrite (C3-ung; S1; W0/1)
1999 Find, a single 44.4 g stone

The Dar al Gani (DaG) 978 meteorite is formally listed as a single stone, presumably bought from a meteorite dealer. However, Choe et al. (2010) suggest that there may be other presently unidentified specimens from the same fall. DaG is clearly a carbonaceous chondrite with many similarities to CV, CM and other Carbonaceous Chondrites (CChs). However, it is classified as ‘ungrouped’ because its bulk chemistry and isotopic ratios simply do not match any of the presently defined groups. Unequilibrated Olivine-rich and other Chondrules account for perhaps 1/3 of its volume. Most of the rest is matrix with the usual melange of mineral and chondrule fragments of various sizes. In addition, however, it also contains some very intriguing and variegated Ca-, Al-rich refractory inclusions [CAIs](~ 1 vol%) plus various odd chondrules and Amoeboid Olivine aggregates [AOAs]. DaG 978 CAIs seem to have formed later than the usual more ‘primordial’ CAIs found in most type 3 CChs. Anorthite, Diopside, Fassaite, Spinel are all common — even expected in CAIs — but DaG 978 CAIs apparently lack any signs of the somewhat similarly expected Corundum, Grossite, or Hibonite.

Along with its chemical peculiarities DaG 978 has also experienced significant metamorphism. Zhang & Yurimoto (2013) report several features that indicate a metamorphic grade of 3.5 or later. The conundrum presented by DaG 978 is that its CAIs may represent a ‘second’ generation of CAIs which we do not usually find so totally separated from the earliest condensates.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

15 valid minerals.

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ 'Ungrouped C3 chondrite meteorite'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Anorthite

Formula: Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Augite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite

Formula: (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

Description: Diopside (usually Ti-poor), esp. in Spinel-Diopside inclusions

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Enstatite

Formula: Mg₂Si₂O₆

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Fayalite (mol%): 29.1 (17.4-31.8) (Meteoritical Bulletin, #87)

References:

Russell, Sara S., Zipfel, Jutta, Folco, Luigi, Jones, Rhian, Grady, Monica M., McCoy, Timothy, Grossman, Jeffrey N. (2003) The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 87, 2003 July. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 38. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2003.tb00328.x

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

Description: in a few chondrules

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ 'Melilite Group'

Formula: Ca₂M(XSiO₇)

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Merrillite

Formula: Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇

Description: in Fe-Ni metal

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Nepheline

Formula: Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)

Description: Porous Nepheline in center of some Spinel-diopside-rich CAIs

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Perovskite

Formula: CaTiO₃

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

Description: Found in a few CAIs and, intertstially, in chondrules

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

Description: Ferrosilite (mol%): 12.4 (2.9-21.7) Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 87, 2003 July Pyroxene in POP chondrules is usually lo-Ca; accessory Pyroxene in PO chondrules is usually Hi-Ca [Zhang & Yurimoto (2013)]

References:

ⓘ Sapphirine

Formula: Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]

Description: Found in Sapphirine-bearing Aluminium-rich Chondrulee

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Spinel

Formula: MgAl₂O₄

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Taenite

Formula: (Ni,Fe)

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

Habit: ubiquitous in small quantities; fine-grained in approximately half of CAIs

References:

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Iron	1.AE.05	Fe
ⓘ	var. Kamacite	1.AE.05	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Taenite	1.AE.10	(Ni,Fe)
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Spinel	4.BB.05	MgAl₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
ⓘ	Perovskite	4.CC.30	CaTiO₃
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘ	Merrillite	8.AC.45	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Enstatite	9.DA.05	Mg₂Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Augite	9.DA.15	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Diopside	9.DA.15	CaMgSi₂O₆
ⓘ	Augite var. Fassaite	9.DA.15	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
ⓘ	Sapphirine	9.DH.45	Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]
ⓘ	Nepheline	9.FA.05	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
ⓘ	Anorthite	9.FA.35	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ	'Melilite Group'	-	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
O	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
O	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
O	ⓘ Sapphirine	Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]
O	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
O	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
O	ⓘ Melilite Group	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Na	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Na	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Sapphirine	Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]
Mg	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Mg	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Mg	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Al	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Al	ⓘ Sapphirine	Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]
Al	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Al	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Si	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Si	ⓘ Sapphirine	Mg₄(Mg₃Al₉)O₄[Si₃Al₉O₃₆]
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Si	ⓘ Melilite Group	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Ca	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
Ca	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ca	ⓘ Melilite Group	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Ti	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
Ti	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Taenite	(Ni,Fe)
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Fe	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Taenite	(Ni,Fe)

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

Sahara DesertDesert

African PlateTectonic Plate

Murzuq basinBasin
Sahara Metacraton
- Central Sahara ProvinceOrogenic Belt

Libya

⭔FezzanRegion

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References

Choe, W. H., Huber, H., Rubin, A. E., Kallemeyn, G. W. & Wasson, J. T. (2010): Composition and taxonomy of the 15 unusual carbonaceous chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 45 (4): 531–554. (April 2010)

Zhang, A.-C. & Yurimoto, H. (2013). Petrography and mineralogy of the ungrouped type 3 carbonaceous chondrite Dar al Gani 978. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 48 (9): 1651–1677. (Sept 2013)

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