Classification: Carbonaceous Chondrite, Ungrouped (C2-ung; S1)
Fall, 9 Sept 1961; 283 g, 7 pieces

After a fireball and detonations over northeastern Texas, the next day a single fragment was recovered which had struck a roof. The other fragments were picked up over the next six months (and subsequent weathering). The meteorite was immediately recognized as a Carbonaceous Chondrite, was first labeled as a more-or-less normal Type II meteorite, and then as a CM (Mighei-like) Carbonaceous Chondrite as classification standards evolved. Indeed, like many CMs Bells has its expected complements of chondrules, clasts, fine-grained materials, and (small) refractory inclusions. But, as more studies were made it became clear that Bells’ bulk chemistry and isotopic ratios do not match any of the 8 presently defined Carbonaceous Chondrite groups.

Indeed, Bells is quite unusual in several respects. Its microscopic niches contain several varieties of titanium oxide (including well-ordered ‘Magneli phases’), some presolar aromatic globules [similar to those found in Comet Wild 2], and minute pockets of very anomalous Nitrogen [unusually high in N-15].

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

12 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:

ⓘ Anhydrite

Formula: CaSO₄

Habit: Fibrous

Description: With Calcite

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).

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

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

ⓘ Clinoenstatite

Formula: MgSiO₃

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

ⓘ Cronstedtite

Formula: Fe²⁺₂Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

ⓘ Enstatite

Formula: Mg₂Si₂O₆

Description: In Matrix [Cf. Brearley & Jones (1998)]

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

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).

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Frequently in barred chondrules; Often highly forsteritic (Fo 98-99)

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

ⓘ Forsterite

Formula: Mg₂SiO₄

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

ⓘ Pentlandite

Formula: (Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

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).

ⓘ Saponite

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

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).

ⓘ 'Serpentine Subgroup'

Formula: D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄

Description: Intergrown with Saponite

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).

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Pentlandite	2.BB.15	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Anhydrite	7.AD.30	CaSO₄
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Forsterite	9.AC.05	Mg₂SiO₄
ⓘ	Enstatite	9.DA.05	Mg₂Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Clinoenstatite	9.DA.10	MgSiO₃
ⓘ	Diopside	9.DA.15	CaMgSi₂O₆
ⓘ	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
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Serpentine Subgroup'	-	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄

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	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
O	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Forsterite	Mg₂SiO₄
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Forsterite	Mg₂SiO₄
Mg	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
Si	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Forsterite	Mg₂SiO₄
Si	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Serpentine Subgroup	D₃[Si₂O₅](OH)₄
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
S	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Cronstedtite	Fe₂²⁺Fe³⁺((Si,Fe³⁺)₂O₅)(OH)₄
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Fe	ⓘ Saponite	Ca_0.25(Mg,Fe)₃((Si,Al)₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Granite-Rhyolite ProvinceMagmatic Province
Shawnee DomainDomain
Sherman BasinBasin

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

Monnig, O. E. (1963). The Bells, Texas, Meteorites. Meteoritics 2, #1, p. 67. (May 1963)

Davis, A. M. & Olsen, E. (1984). Carbonaceous Chondrite Related to c1 and c2 Chondrites (Abstract). Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 190-191. (March 1984)

Brearley, A. J. (1993). Occurrence and possible significance of rare Ti oxides (Magneli phases) in carbonaceous chondrite matrices. Meteoritics 28 (4): 590-595. (Sept 1993)

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.

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

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

Clemett, S. J., Messenger, S., Nakamura-Messenger, K. & Thomas-Keprta, K. L. (2014): Coordinated Chemical and Isotopic Imaging of Bells (CM2) Meteorite Matrix. 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. LPI Contribution No. 1777, p. 2896. (March 2014).

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Bells meteorite, Grayson County, Texas, USAiRegional Level TypesBells meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location Grayson CountyCounty TexasState USACountry 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

Bells meteorite, Grayson County, Texas, USA i
Regional Level Types
Bells meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Grayson County County
Texas State
USA Country