Kakangari [K3; S2] Chondrite - Prototype for K Chondrites
Fall 4 June 1890; 350 g (2 stones)

In 1966 Mason and Wiik described Kakangari as something of an oddball among the various chondritic meteorites which had been observed. Kakangari is fundamentally a mix of an enstatite-rich matrix (~70 vol%) plus pyroxene and olivine-rich chondrules (~30 vol%). Within the matrix we also find abundant troilite; within the chondrules we also find kamacite and taenite. While various observers were first struck by many textural features resembling the unequilibrated mixes of primitive Carbonaceous Chondrites, it gradually became clear that Kakangari occupies a unique geochemical-mineralogic niche. So it has been deemed the prototype for the rare Kakangari-like chondrites. The Kakangari chemical group or, more precisely, ‘grouplet’ of 4 meteorites is very small indeed. Kakangari is the only witnessed fall and the other three finds have a combined total mass of only 25% the mass of Kakangari [as of August 2015].

Kakangari’s most striking characteristic is its reduced silicate mineralogy dominated by enstatite-rich pyroxenes (mostly En92-96) and lesser amounts of forsteritic olivine (Fo96). The Kakangari group is much more reduced than any ordinary or carbonaceous chondrite group, but clearly not as reduced as the enstatite chondrites which are dominated by nearly pure Enstatite. Kakangari is not, however, an equilibrated meteorite. The pyroxene, olivine, and minor plagioclase exhibit compositional variations and a few small inclusions exhibit similar variations and other mineralogical exotica. The presence of glass is used as the marker for designating Kakangari (and Lea County 002) as petrologic type K3.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

16 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

ⓘ K3 chondrite meteorite

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

Description: Albite is rare, but it exists as both glass and mineral

References:

Brearley, A. J. (1988) Nature and Origin of Matrix in the Unique Chondrite, Kakangari: A TEM Investigation, Lunar and Planetary Science XIX, 130-131. (March 1988)

Brearley, A.J. & Jones, R.H. (1998) Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, JJ - Ed.), Chapter 3: 1-398: Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, USA.

ⓘ Anorthite

Formula: Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)

Description: Very minor amounts in matrix

References:

Brearley, A. J. (1996) IN: Hewins, R. H., Jones, R. H. & Scott, E. R. D., Eds: Chondrules and the Protoplanetary Disk. Cambridge University Press. pp. 137-151.

Brearley, A.J. & Jones, R.H. (1998) Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, JJ - Ed.), Chapter 3: 1-398: Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, USA.

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ Augite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

Brearley, A. J. (1988) Nature and Origin of Matrix in the Unique Chondrite, Kakangari: A TEM Investigation, Lunar and Planetary Science XIX, 130-131. (March 1988)

ⓘ Augite var. Fassaite

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

References:

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

ⓘ Clinoenstatite

Formula: MgSiO₃

References:

Brearley, A. J. (1988) Nature and Origin of Matrix in the Unique Chondrite, Kakangari: A TEM Investigation, Lunar and Planetary Science XIX, 130-131. (March 1988)

Brearley, A.J. & Jones, R.H. (1998) Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, JJ - Ed.), Chapter 3: 1-398: Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, USA.

ⓘ 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

Brearley, A.J. & Jones, R.H. (1998) Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, JJ - Ed.), Chapter 3: 1-398: Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, USA.

ⓘ Enstatite

Formula: Mg₂Si₂O₆

Description: Enstatite is frequently found as an orthoenstatite-clinoenstatite intergrowth

References:

Hutchison, R. & Graham, A. L. (1974) Kakangari - unique member of a distinct chemical class of chondrites? Meteoritics 9 (4): 352. (Dec 1974)

Brearley, A. J. (1988) Nature and Origin of Matrix in the Unique Chondrite, Kakangari: A TEM Investigation, Lunar and Planetary Science XIX, 130-131. (March 1988)

Brearley, A.J. & Jones, R.H. (1998) Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, JJ - Ed.), Chapter 3: 1-398: Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, USA.

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Usually very close to Fo96, Prinz et al. (1989); Range of Fa3-Fa9.5 noted by Hutchison & Graham (1974); Additional work found Fa0-3 in matrix (Brearley, 1996)

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

Nehru, C. E., Prinz, M., Weisberg, M. K., & Delaney, J. S. (1983) The Kakangari Chondrite and Its Relationship to Carbonaceous Chondrite: Meteoritics 18 (4): 361-362. (Dec 1983)

Prinz, M., Weisberg, M. K., Nehru, C. E., MacPherson, G. J., Clayton, R. N. & Mayeda, T. K. (1989) Petrologic and Stable Isotope Study of the Kakangari (K-Group) Chondrite: Chondrules, Matrix, CAI's, Abstracts of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XX, page 870. (March 1989)

ⓘ Ferrihydrite

Formula: Fe³⁺₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂

Description: Replacing kamacite; May very well be due to terrestrial weathering; However, Kakangari is a fall and many unequilibrated clasts are products of pre-terrestrial hydration.

References:

Berlin, J., Jones, R. H. & Brearley, A. J. (2007) A Closer Look at Chondrules and Matrix in Kakangari: Evidence for Wide-Spread Reduction and Sulfurization, Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVIII. LPI Contribution #1338, p. 2395. (March 2007)

ⓘ Forsterite

Formula: Mg₂SiO₄

References:

Brearley, A. J. (1996) IN: Hewins, R. H., Jones, R. H. & Scott, E. R. D., Eds: Chondrules and the Protoplanetary Disk. Cambridge University Press. pp. 137-151.

Brearley, A.J. & Jones, R.H. (1998) Chondritic Meteorites. In: Planetary Materials (Papike, JJ - Ed.), Chapter 3: 1-398: Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, USA.

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ 'Glass'

Description: wide range of feldspathic glass (An0 - An78) noted by Nehru et al. (1983)

References:

Nehru, C. E., Prinz, M., Weisberg, M. K., & Delaney, J. S. (1983) The Kakangari Chondrite and Its Relationship to Carbonaceous Chondrite: Meteoritics 18 (4): 361-362. (Dec 1983)

ⓘ Hibonite

Formula: CaAl₁₂O₁₉

References:

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

Description: En 92-96 according to Prinz et al. (1989)

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

ⓘ Perovskite

Formula: CaTiO₃

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group'

Formula: ADSi₂O₆

Description: The Pyroxene group is quite diverse. While Enstatite is most prominent. However, minerals are found in both orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene crystal classes, with Ca-poor and Ca-rich chemical variations plus occasional mildly Ferrosilic compositions.

References:

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

ⓘ 'Silica'

References:

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

ⓘ Sodalite

Formula: Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl

References:

ⓘ Spinel

Formula: MgAl₂O₄

Description: Cr-bearing species may predominate

References:

Brearley, A. J. (1988) Nature and Origin of Matrix in the Unique Chondrite, Kakangari: A TEM Investigation, Lunar and Planetary Science XIX, 130-131. (March 1988)

ⓘ Taenite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

Description: In Chondrules

References:

Hutchison, R. & Graham, A. L. (1974) Kakangari - unique member of a distinct chemical class of chondrites? Meteoritics 9 (4): 352. (Dec 1974)

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Mason, B. H. & Wiik, H. B. (1966) The Composition of the Bath, Frankfort, Kakangari, Rose City, and Tadjera Meteorites. American Museum Novitates #2272: 24 pages. (Dec 1966).

Hutchison, R. & Graham, A. L. (1974) Kakangari - unique member of a distinct chemical class of chondrites? Meteoritics 9 (4): 352. (Dec 1974)

Nehru, C. E., Weisberg, M. K., & Prinz, M. (1986) Chondrules in the Kakangari Chondrite: Meteoritics 21 (4): 468. (Dec 1986)

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)
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Spinel	4.BB.05	MgAl₂O₄
ⓘ	Perovskite	4.CC.30	CaTiO₃
ⓘ	Hibonite	4.CC.45	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
ⓘ	Ferrihydrite	4.FE.35	Fe³⁺₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Forsterite	9.AC.05	Mg₂SiO₄
ⓘ	Enstatite	9.DA.05	Mg₂Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Clinoenstatite	9.DA.10	MgSiO₃
ⓘ	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)
ⓘ	Sodalite	9.FB.10	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Pyroxene Group'	-	ADSi₂O₆
ⓘ	'Silica'	-
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Glass'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Ferrihydrite	Fe₁₀³⁺O₁₄(OH)₂
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
O	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Ferrihydrite	Fe₁₀³⁺O₁₄(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Forsterite	Mg₂SiO₄
O	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
O	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
O	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
O	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
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	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
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	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Forsterite	Mg₂SiO₄
Mg	ⓘ Spinel	MgAl₂O₄
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	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
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	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Forsterite	Mg₂SiO₄
Si	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
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]
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Sodalite	Na₄(Si₃Al₃)O₁₂Cl
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anorthite	Ca(Al₂Si₂O₈)
Ca	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Hibonite	CaAl₁₂O₁₉
Ca	ⓘ Perovskite	CaTiO₃
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	ⓘ 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	ⓘ Ferrihydrite	Fe₁₀³⁺O₁₄(OH)₂
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
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	(Fe,Ni)

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

Indian Plate (India Plate)Tectonic Plate

Eastern Dharwar CratonCraton

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References

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php=