Rumuruti (R3.8-6), Prototype for R (Rumuruti-like) Chondrites
28 January 1934 Fall, 67 g, brecciated

Before midnight dazzling lights were seen and detonations were heard over the Great Rift valley of Kenya. Several stones were recovered over a space of a few kilometers, but only one small piece was preserved and transferred to Berlin. Regrettably information about this stone, however, did not reach the general meteoritical community for nearly six decades. This olivine-rich chondrite meteorite is quite unusual, however, and within a couple of years it was deemed the prototype of a new group — the R Chondrites. Rumuruti’s primary constituents are olivine (~70 vol%), Feldspar (~14 vol%), pyroxene (~5 vol%), pyrrhotite (~4 vol%), and pentlandite (3-4 vol%) — quite typical for the group. Besides their somewhat unusual bulk chemistry and isotope ratios, Rumuruti and other R Chondrites are the most oxidized chondritic group. Dominant olivine is quite fayalitic (Fa37-40). Other indicators of their unusually high oxidation state are the presence of pyrrhotite and pentlandite (instead of troilite), high-Ni metal, and a number of small Platinum group metallic phases (usually dissolved in more abundant metallic iron). Many R chondrites are severely brecciated with components often out of equilibrium with each other. Small Ca, Al-rich inclusions (usually ≤1%) create additional mineralogical diversity in some very small rocks.

Rumuruti is quite small, but was chosen as the prototype for the R chondrite group because it is the only witnessed fall. The March 1994 issue of Meteoritics laying out the case for the new group also featured articles on the slightly larger Pecora Escarpment 91002 and Acfer 217. New R chondrites are constantly being reported — including 8 stones reported from Northwest Africa since 2,000 with masses greater than 1 kg.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

21 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

ⓘ 'R3.8-6 chondrite meteorite'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase

Formula: (Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ Anorthite

Formula: Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ Augite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite

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

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

Schulze, H., Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Spettel, B., Dreibus, G., Otto, J. (1994) Mineralogy and chemistry of Rumuruti: The first meteorite fall of the new R chondrite group. Meteoritics, 29 (2) 275-286 doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.1994.tb00681.x

ⓘ Chlorapatite

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl

References:

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

Description: Chromite = Chromian Spinel with accessory Ti & Ferric iron

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

Description: Found in a number of Ca,Al-rich inclusions

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Fa 39 ± 2.4

References:

Wlotzka, F. [Ed.] (1993). The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 75. Meteoritics, 28 (5): 692-703. (Dec 1993)

ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'

Description: mainly plagioclase

References:

ⓘ Hibonite

Formula: CaAl₁₂O₁₉

Description: Found in a number of Ca,Al-rich inclusions

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

Description: occasional component of CAI inclusionse

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ Irarsite

Formula: (Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS

References:

Schulze, H. (1998) Noble Metal Phases in Rumuruti-chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 33 (4, supplement): p. A139. (July 1998)

ⓘ Native Gold

Formula: Au

References:

Schulze, H. (1998) Noble Metal Phases in Rumuruti-chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 33 (4, supplement): p. A139. (July 1998)

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

ⓘ 'Nickel-iron'

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ Niggliite

Formula: PtSn

Description: as sparse individual grains

References:

Schulze, H. (1998) Noble Metal Phases in Rumuruti-chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 33 (4, supplement): p. A139. (July 1998)

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

Description: unequilibrated, mean Fs~26

References:

Wlotzka, F. [Ed.] (1993). The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 75. Meteoritics, 28 (5): 692-703. (Dec 1993)

ⓘ Pentlandite

Formula: (Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

Description: exsolutions in pyrrhotite

References:

Wlotzka, F. [Ed.] (1993). The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 75. Meteoritics, 28 (5): 692-703. (Dec 1993)

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ Perovskite

Formula: CaTiO₃

Description: occasional component of CAI inclusionse

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

Description: mean composition Ab 85

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

Description: Both high-Ca & low-Ca varieties

References:

ⓘ Pyrrhotite

Formula: Fe_1-xS

References:

Wlotzka, F. [Ed.] (1993). The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 75. Meteoritics, 28 (5): 692-703. (Dec 1993)

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

ⓘ Rustenburgite

Formula: (Pt,Pd)₃Sn

Description: as sparse individual grains

References:

Schulze, H. (1998) Noble Metal Phases in Rumuruti-chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 33 (4, supplement): p. A139. (July 1998)

ⓘ Sperrylite

Formula: PtAs₂

References:

Schulze, H. (1998) Noble Metal Phases in Rumuruti-chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 33 (4, supplement): p. A139. (July 1998)

ⓘ Spinel

Formula: MgAl₂O₄

Description: major component in most CAI inclusions

References:

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

ⓘ Tridymite

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ Whitlockite

Formula: Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)

References:

Schulze, H. & Otto, J. (1993) Rumuruti: A New Carlisle Lakes-type Chondrite, Meteoritics 28 (3): 433. (July 1993)

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Gold	1.AA.05	Au
ⓘ	Native Iron	1.AE.05	Fe
ⓘ	var. Kamacite	1.AE.05	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Rustenburgite	1.AG.10	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
ⓘ	Niggliite	1.AG.60	PtSn
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Pentlandite	2.BB.15	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Pyrrhotite	2.CC.10	Fe_1-xS
ⓘ	Sperrylite	2.EB.05a	PtAs₂
ⓘ	Irarsite	2.EB.25	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Spinel	4.BB.05	MgAl₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
ⓘ	Perovskite	4.CC.30	CaTiO₃
ⓘ	Hibonite	4.CC.45	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
ⓘ	Tridymite	4.DA.10	SiO₂
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘ	Whitlockite	8.AC.45	Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
ⓘ	Chlorapatite	8.BN.05	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
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]
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
ⓘ	Anorthite	9.FA.35	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
ⓘ	Albite var. Oligoclase	9.FA.35	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Feldspar Group'	-
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Nickel-iron'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Whitlockite	Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
O	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
O	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
O	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
O	ⓘ Tridymite	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Whitlockite	Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
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]
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
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	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
Mg	ⓘ Whitlockite	Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Mg	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Al	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
Al	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
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	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Si	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Si	ⓘ Tridymite	SiO₂
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]
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
P	ⓘ Whitlockite	Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Irarsite	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
S	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
S	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Ca	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
Ca	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Ca	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
Ca	ⓘ Whitlockite	Ca₉Mg(PO₄)₆(PO₃OH)
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ca	ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite	(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe²⁺,Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)[(Si,Al)₂O₆]
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	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Fe	ⓘ Pyrrhotite	Fe_1-xS
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	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
As	Arsenic
As	ⓘ Irarsite	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
As	ⓘ Sperrylite	PtAs₂
Ru	Ruthenium
Ru	ⓘ Irarsite	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
Rh	Rhodium
Rh	ⓘ Irarsite	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
Pd	Palladium
Pd	ⓘ Rustenburgite	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
Sn	Tin
Sn	ⓘ Niggliite	PtSn
Sn	ⓘ Rustenburgite	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
Ir	Iridium
Ir	ⓘ Irarsite	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
Pt	Platinum
Pt	ⓘ Irarsite	(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsS
Pt	ⓘ Niggliite	PtSn
Pt	ⓘ Rustenburgite	(Pt,Pd)₃Sn
Pt	ⓘ Sperrylite	PtAs₂
Au	Gold
Au	ⓘ Native Gold	Au

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

East African Rift System (EARS)Zone (Tectonic)

African Plate

Arabian-Nubian Shield
- Nakfa TerraneVolcanic Arc

Kenya

⭔Rift Valley ProvinceProvince

Somali PlateTectonic Plate

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References

=Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 75

= Defining Article

Wlotzka, F. [Ed.] (1993). The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 75. Meteoritics, 28 (5): 692-703. (Dec 1993)

Schulze, H. (1998) Noble Metal Phases in Rumuruti-chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 33 (4, supplement): p. A139. (July 1998)

Berlin, J., Lingemann, C. M. & Stöffler, D. (2001) Occurrence of Noble Metal Phases in Fragments of Different Petrologic Type in the Rumuruti Chondrite: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 36(9,Supplement): p.A19 (Sept 2001)

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich Inclusions in Rumuruti Chondrites: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIX. LPI Contribution No. 1391: p.1255. (March 2008)

Rout, S. S. & Bischoff, A. (2008) Ca,Al-rich inclusions in Rumuruti (R) chondrites: Meteoritics & Planetary Science 43(9): 1439-1464. (Nov 2008)

(2010) Meteoritical Bulletin Database (MetBull), The Meteoritical Society.

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Rumuruti meteorite, Laikipia County, KenyaiRegional Level TypesRumuruti meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location Laikipia CountyCounty KenyaCountry 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

Rumuruti meteorite, Laikipia County, Kenya i
Regional Level Types
Rumuruti meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Laikipia County County
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