Enstatite Chondrite, high-iron [EH3.5; S3]
Fall, 14 April 1942, 800 g; weathered

Two stones (masses ~600 g, ~200 g) fell on opposite sides of the Gandak River. They were not fully described and classified, however, until the 1970’s. Both stones are Enstatite Chondrites, but the larger stone also contains a large semi-exotic clast labeled as an ‘Aubrite basalt vitrophyre (ABV)’. Unfortunately, for reasons not completely understood, Parsa also shows signs of unanticipated weathering (e.g., Fe-oxides) not normally seen in observed falls.

The Enstatite Chondrite Class is defined by specific elemental ratios and by earthlike oxygen isotopic ratios. Mineralogically, Enstatite Chondrites are characterized by the presence of dominant iron-poor Enstatite, accessory Fe-Ni metal, and a number of very reduced mineral phases (sulfides, nitrides, silicides). Many of these phases are either unknown or very rare in terrestrial rocks. The EH (high iron) chemical group is further characterized by abundant iron (~10-20 vol%) and the minerals niningerite and perryite. Parsa’s EH3.5 petrologic type indicates that Parsa’s abundant chondrules and matrix have been incompletely equilibrated by mild metamorphism. In addition, Parsa’s S3 shock level indicates moderately strong pre-terrestrial shock.

In 1989 Klaus Keil proffered a number of persuasive arguments suggesting separate parent bodies for EH Chondrites, EL Chondrites, Aubrites, and the unusual Shallowater meteorite. However, Parsa’s somewhat mixed mineralogical population is not easily explained with such a clean separation of the Enstatite-rich meteorite homeworlds.

Recommended Initial References:
Bhandari, N., Shah, V. B. & Wasson, J. T. (1980). The Parsa enstatite chondrite. Meteoritics, 15 (3): 225-233. (Sept 1980)
Keil, K. (1989) Enstatite meteorites and their parent bodies, Meteoritics 24 (4): 195-208. (Dec 1989)

Select Mineral List Type

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!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ EH3 chondrite meteorite

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Alabandite

Formula: MnS

Description: Found within the aubritic clast [Aubrite basalt vitrophyre (ABV)]

References:

Fogel, R. A. (2005) Aubrite basalt vitrophyres: The missing basaltic component and high-sulfur silicate melts, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 69 (6): 1633-1648. (March 2005)

ⓘ Caswellsilverite

Formula: NaCrS₂

Description: Traces only

References:

Nehru, C. E., Prinz, M., Weisberg, M. K. & Delaney, J. S. (1984) Parsa: an Unequilibrated Enstatite Chondrite (uec) with an Aubrite-Like Impact Melt Clast (abstract), Lunar and Planetary Science XV, 597-598. (March 1984)

ⓘ Daubréelite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂S₄

Description: Zincian Daubréelite

References:

ⓘ Enstatite

Formula: Mg₂Si₂O₆

References:

Bhandari, N., Gopalan, K., & Rao, M. N. (1975). Exposure and formation history of the Parsa meteorite based on fossil track and rare gas studies. Meteoritics, 10, 362.

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

References:

Bhandari, N., Gopalan, K., & Rao, M. N. (1975). Exposure and formation history of the Parsa meteorite based on fossil track and rare gas studies. Meteoritics, 10, 362.

ⓘ 'Glass'

Description: Glass is most abundant in the matrix of the aubrite-like clast

References:

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

ⓘ Niningerite

Formula: MgS

Description: Niningerite in clast is more Mg-rich than in the 'aubritic' clast

References:

ⓘ Oldhamite

Formula: CaS

References:

Bhandari, N., Gopalan, K., & Rao, M. N. (1975). Exposure and formation history of the Parsa meteorite based on fossil track and rare gas studies. Meteoritics, 10, 362.

ⓘ Perryite

Formula: (Ni,Fe)₅(Si,P)₂

Description: Traces only

References:

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

Description: Mostly, but not entirely enstatite

References:

ⓘ Schreibersite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)₃P

References:

ⓘ 'Silica'

References:

ⓘ Spinel

Formula: MgAl₂O₄

Description: Traces only

References:

ⓘ Taenite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Bhandari, N., Gopalan, K., & Rao, M. N. (1975). Exposure and formation history of the Parsa meteorite based on fossil track and rare gas studies. Meteoritics, 10, 362.

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	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Perryite	1.BB.10	(Ni,Fe)₅(Si,P)₂
ⓘ	Schreibersite	1.BD.05	(Fe,Ni)₃P
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
ⓘ	Alabandite	2.CD.10	MnS
ⓘ	Niningerite	2.CD.10	MgS
ⓘ	Oldhamite	2.CD.10	CaS
ⓘ	Daubréelite	2.DA.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂S₄
ⓘ	Caswellsilverite	2.FB.05	NaCrS₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Spinel	4.BB.05	MgAl₂O₄
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Enstatite	9.DA.05	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Silica'	-
ⓘ	'Glass'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Caswellsilverite	NaCrS₂
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Niningerite	MgS
Mg	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Perryite	(Ni,Fe)₅(Si,P)₂
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Pyroxene Group	ADSi₂O₆
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Perryite	(Ni,Fe)₅(Si,P)₂
P	ⓘ Schreibersite	(Fe,Ni)₃P
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Alabandite	MnS
S	ⓘ Caswellsilverite	NaCrS₂
S	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
S	ⓘ Niningerite	MgS
S	ⓘ Oldhamite	CaS
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Oldhamite	CaS
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Caswellsilverite	NaCrS₂
Cr	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
Mn	Manganese
Mn	ⓘ Alabandite	MnS
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Perryite	(Ni,Fe)₅(Si,P)₂
Fe	ⓘ Schreibersite	(Fe,Ni)₃P
Fe	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Perryite	(Ni,Fe)₅(Si,P)₂
Ni	ⓘ Schreibersite	(Fe,Ni)₃P
Ni	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

Indian Plate (India Plate)Tectonic Plate

Himalayan Foreland BasinForedeep Basin
Indo-Gangetic basin
- Ganga Sub-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

adsbit.harvard.edu (n.d.) http://adsbit.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1979Metic.14.161G

Andrew L. Graham, Editor (1979). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 56. Meteoritics 14, #2, 161-175 (June 1979).

Bhandari, N., Shah, V. B. & Wasson, J. T. (1980). The Parsa enstatite chondrite. Meteoritics 15 (3): 225-233. (Sept 1980)

Keil, Klaus (1989) Enstatite meteorites and their parent bodies. Meteoritics, 24 (4). 195-208 doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.1989.tb00694.x

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

Fogel, R. A. (2005) Aubrite basalt vitrophyres: The missing basaltic component and high-sulfur silicate melts, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 69 (6): 1633-1648. (March 2005)

Quirico, E., Bourot-denise, M., Robin, C., Montagnac, G. & Beck, P. (2011) A reappraisal of the metamorphic history of EH3 and EL3 enstatite chondrites, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 75 (11): 3088-3102. (June 2011)

Quick NavTop Mineral List Rock Types Other Regions References

Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: October 19, 2026 20:57:22 Page updated: August 16, 2025 12:55:09

Go to top of page

Parsa meteorite, Muzaffarpur District, Bihar, IndiaiRegional Level TypesParsa meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location Muzaffarpur DistrictDistrict BiharState IndiaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

Select Mineral List Type

Mineral List

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

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

Parsa meteorite, Muzaffarpur District, Bihar, India i
Regional Level Types
Parsa meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Muzaffarpur District District
Bihar State
India Country