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Ilafegh 009 meteorite, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Bordj Badji Mokhtar District, Bordj Badji Mokhtar Province, Algeria i
Regional Level Types
Ilafegh 009 meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Bordj Badji Mokhtar Commune
Bordj Badji Mokhtar District District
Bordj Badji Mokhtar Province Province
Algeria Country

Regional Level Types
Ilafegh 009 meteorite	Meteorite Fall Location
Bordj Badji Mokhtar	Commune
Bordj Badji Mokhtar District	District
Bordj Badji Mokhtar Province	Province
Algeria	Country

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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

21° 37' 59'' North , 1° 16' 0'' East

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

G#: s5bghf4r7

Type:

Meteorite Fall Location

Meteorite Class:

EL7 chondrite meteorite

Meteoritical Society Class:

EL7

Metbull:

View entry in Meteoritical Bulletin Database

Köppen climate type:

BWh : Hot deserts climate

Mindat Locality ID:

257673

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:257673:5

GUID (UUID V4):

Enstatite Chondrite, low iron (EL7; W0/1; S4)
1989 find, 421 g; Shock-melted

Purchased in Algeria, the Ilafegh 009 meteorite is a highly shocked enstatite-rich stone with a composition very similar to that of the EL chondrites. There are, however, no chondrules. More than half of the stone consists of enstatite (mostly orthoenstatite; usually in ~cm-size crystals) with significant quantities of Ni-Fe metal (~27 wt%), troilite (~8 wt%), and plagioclase (~7 wt%). In addition, there are a number of minor phases characteristic of Enstatite Chondrites. Two phases, Ferroan Alabandite and Kamacite with ~1% Si are usually reliable and specific indicators of the EL chemical group. Variable composition in both plagioclase and schreibersite plus various inhomogeneously distributed inclusions indicate rapidly cooling phases unable to reequilibrate after violent heating shocks. Radioactive dating suggests that Ilafegh 009 may have experienced a particularly violent shock event ~4.4 billion years ago — perhaps 150 million years after initial formation of its major components.

Within the meteoritical community, there is serious unease with the proper terminology to use in describing these “shock-melted” meteorites with Enstatite Chondrite-like composition. Part of the problem seems to be that residual heating from original radioactive species and heating from violent events within the Enstatite clan formation zone were coeval and entangled events. McCoy et al. (1995) provide the best overall description of this particular meteorite and also provide a perspective for some of the general issues involved. However, the small amount of available material makes it doubly difficult to stitch together a completely satisfying account of this ancient, complex and intriguing stone.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

10 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

ⓘ 'EL7 chondrite meteorite'

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Alabandite

Formula: MnS

Description: Alabandite — Ferroan Alabandite is an indicator for the EL chemical group of Enstatite; Associated with and embedded with troilite

References:

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

McCoy, T. J., Keil, K., Bogard, D., Casanova, I. & Lindstrom, M. M. (1992) ILAFEGH 009: A New Sample of the Diverse Suite of Enstatite Impact Melt Rocks (Abstract). LPSC XXIII: page 869. (March 1992)

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

Leroux, H., Doukhan, J. C. & Bischoff, A. (1997) Mineralogy and crystallization history of the ILAFEGH 009 EL-chondritic impact-melt rock: An ATEM investigation. Meteoritics 32 (3): 365-372. (May 1997)

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase

Formula: (Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]

References:

ⓘ Clinoenstatite

Formula: MgSiO₃

Description: minor, but pervasive

References:

ⓘ Daubréelite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂S₄

Description: Associated with the more abundant troilite

References:

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

ⓘ Enstatite

Formula: Mg₂Si₂O₆

Description: Usually as moderately large crystals up to 1 cm in size. Often contains trapped inclusions with diverse mineralogies

References:

Wlotzka, F. (ed.) (1991). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 71. Meteoritics 26 (3): 255-262. (June 1991).

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'

Description: Found in small inclusions within large Enstatite crystals

References:

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

Description: abundant, but somewhat disordered in some instances

References:

Wlotzka, F. (ed.) (1991). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 71. Meteoritics 26 (3): 255-262. (June 1991).

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

Description: abundant, but somewhat disordered in some instances

References:

Wlotzka, F. (ed.) (1991). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 71. Meteoritics 26 (3): 255-262. (June 1991).

ⓘ 'Nickel-iron'

References:

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

ⓘ Oldhamite

Formula: CaS

References:

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

ⓘ Osbornite

Formula: TiN

Description: 3 small grains

References:

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

Description: Variable, but with a strong oligoclase component

References:

Wlotzka, F. (ed.) (1991). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 71. Meteoritics 26 (3): 255-262. (June 1991).

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

ⓘ Schreibersite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)₃P

Description: Ni-content variable

References:

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

ⓘ 'Silica'

Description: various small and unidentified silica phases are reported (sometimes associated with K-oxide)

References:

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

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)
ⓘ	Osbornite	1.BC.15	TiN
ⓘ	Schreibersite	1.BD.05	(Fe,Ni)₃P
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
ⓘ	Alabandite	2.CD.10	MnS
ⓘ	Oldhamite	2.CD.10	CaS
ⓘ	Daubréelite	2.DA.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂S₄
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Enstatite	9.DA.05	Mg₂Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Clinoenstatite	9.DA.10	MgSiO₃
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
ⓘ	var. Oligoclase	9.FA.35	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Feldspar Group'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Silica'	-
ⓘ	'Nickel-iron'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

N	Nitrogen
N	ⓘ Osbornite	TiN
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
O	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
Mg	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Clinoenstatite	MgSiO₃
Si	ⓘ Enstatite	Mg₂Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Schreibersite	(Fe,Ni)₃P
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Alabandite	MnS
S	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
S	ⓘ Oldhamite	CaS
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Oldhamite	CaS
Ca	ⓘ Albite var. Oligoclase	(Na,Ca)[Al(Si,Al)Si₂O₈]
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Osbornite	TiN
Cr	Chromium
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	ⓘ Schreibersite	(Fe,Ni)₃P
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Schreibersite	(Fe,Ni)₃P

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

African PlateTectonic Plate

Taoudenni basinBasin
Tuareg Shield
- Pharusian BeltVolcanic Arc

North Africa

Sahara DesertDesert

Northwest Africa MeteoritesGroup of Meteorite Fall Locations

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

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=12014

Wlotzka, F. (ed.) (1991). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 71. Meteoritics 26 (3): 255-262. (June 1991).

Bischoff, A., Palme, H., Geiger, T. & Spettel, B. (1992) Mineralogy and Chemistry of the EL-Chondritic Melt Rock Ilafegh-009 (Abstract): LPSC XXIII: page 105. (March 1992)

McCoy, T. J. et al. (1995) Origin and history of impact-melt rocks of enstatite chondrite parentage: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 59 (1): 161-175. (Feb 1995)

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

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