Classification: Carbonaceous Chondrite, Ungrouped (C2-ung; S1)
Fall, July 28, 1957; 550 g, several fragments

After its fall, the small Essebi meteorite was soon classified as a Carbonaceous Chondrite and, in time, was deemed a member of the CM (Mighei-like) Carbonaceous Chondrite Group and officially remained so until early in the new millennium. Recently, however, it has been deemed to be one of only 4 ungrouped Carbonaceous Chondrite falls.

Essebi has not been the object of extensive research. The listing provided here is based on readily available sources and includes several minerals from an intriguing refractory inclusion. It lacks, however, the pyroxenes, feldspars and various opaques which would presumably be reported in a comprehensive mineralogical study.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

11 valid minerals.

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

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Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ 'Ungrouped C2 chondrite meteorite'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Augite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

El Goresy et al. (1984) A calcium-aluminum-rich inclusion from the Essebi (CM2) chondrite: Evidence for captured spinel-hibonite spherules and for an ultra-refractory rimming sequence. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 48 (11): 2283–2298. (Nov 1984)

ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite

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

References:

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

Description: From altered Melilite in inclusions

References:

ⓘ Cronstedtite

Formula: Fe²⁺₂Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

Howard, K.T., Alexander, C.M.O’D., Schrader, D.L., Dyl, K.A. (2015) Classification of hydrous meteorites (CR, CM and C2 ungrouped) by phyllosilicate fraction: PSD-XRD modal mineralogy and planetesimal environments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 149. 206-222 doi:10.1016/j.gca.2014.10.025

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

References:

Zolensky, M. E. (1991) Mineralogy and matrix composition of CR chondrites Renazzo and EET 87770, and ungrouped chondrites Essebi and MAC 87300. In: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Abstracts for the 54th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society: p 263. (Jan 1991).

ⓘ Hibonite

Formula: CaAl₁₂O₁₉

References:

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

Kallemeyn, G. W. (1995) Bells and Essebi: To Be or Not To Be (CM). Meteoritics 30 (5): 525-526. (Sept 1995)

ⓘ 'Melilite Group'

Formula: Ca₂M(XSiO₇)

References:

ⓘ Nepheline

Formula: Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)

References:

ⓘ Perovskite

Formula: CaTiO₃

References:

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ Saponite

Formula: Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O

References:

ⓘ 'Serpentine Subgroup'

Formula: D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Sodalite

Formula: Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl

Description: From altered Melilite in inclusions

References:

ⓘ Spinel

Formula: MgAl₂O₄

Description: Significant compositional variations in various environments (various inclusions)

References:

Brearley, A. J. & Jones, R. H. (1998): Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, J. J., Editor): Chapter 3, 398 pages. Mineralogical Society of America: Washington, DC, USA. (1998).

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Spinel	4.BB.05	MgAl₂O₄
ⓘ	Perovskite	4.CC.30	CaTiO₃
ⓘ	Hibonite	4.CC.45	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	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]
ⓘ	Saponite	9.EC.45	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
ⓘ	Cronstedtite	9.ED.15	Fe²⁺₂Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
ⓘ	Nepheline	9.FA.05	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
ⓘ	Sodalite	9.FB.10	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Serpentine Subgroup'	-	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
ⓘ	'Melilite Group'	-	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
H	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
O	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
O	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
O	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
O	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
O	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
O	ⓘ Melilite Group	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Na	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
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	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Mg	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Mg	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
Al	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Al	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Al	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
Al	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Al	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Si	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Si	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Si	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Melilite Group	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Nepheline	Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
Ca	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
Ca	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Ca	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Ca	ⓘ Melilite Group	Ca₂M(XSiO₇)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
Ti	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Fe	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

East African Rift System (EARS)Zone (Tectonic)
- Albertine RiftZone (Tectonic)

African Plate

Congo Craton
- West Nile TerraneShield

DR Congo

⭔OrientaleProvince

Somali PlateTectonic Plate

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

El Goresy, A., Palme, H., Yabuki, H., Nagel, K., Herrwerth, I. & Ramdohr, P. (1984). A calcium-aluminum-rich inclusion from the Essebi (CM2) chondrite: Evidence for captured spinel-hibonite spherules and for an ultra-refractory rimming sequence. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 48 (11): 2283–2298. (Nov 1984).

Kallemeyn, G. W. (1995) Bells and Essebi: To Be or Not To Be (CM). Meteoritics 30 (5): 525-526. (Sept 1995)

Brearley, A. J. & Jones, R. H. (1998): Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, J. J., Editor): Chapter 3, 398 pages. Mineralogical Society of America: Washington, DC, USA. (1998).

Grady, Monica (2000) Catalogue of Meteorites (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

www.lpi.usra.edu (2010) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/docs/mb27.pdf

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Essebi meteorite, Aru Territory, Ituri, DR CongoiRegional Level TypesEssebi meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location Aru TerritoryTerritory IturiProvince DR CongoCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Mineral List

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

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Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Essebi meteorite, Aru Territory, Ituri, DR Congo i
Regional Level Types
Essebi meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Aru Territory Territory
Ituri Province
DR Congo Country