Ordinary chondrite (H5)
Fell, 31 August 1961, 16:45 hrs; 2.4 kg, 2 stones

Two stones fell and buried themselves in the sand ~400 m away from each other near the village of Namacunda. Only one of the stones (2.4 kg) appears to have been recovered. The interior is a highly crystallized motley-colored medley of crystals, fragments, and (mostly) indistinct chondrules of various sizes. Olivine and orthopyroxene compositions (Fa19 & Fs17, respectively) are characteristic of the H-chondrite geochemical group. Mineralogically, the meteorite consists primarily of dominant olivine and pyroxene along with minor amounts of Fe-Ni metal (kamacite and taenite), troilite, plagioclase, and diopside. Accessory chromite, copper, graphite and other minor sulfides are also reported.

A Pb,Th:He age of 3.80 Ga and a moderately long cosmic-ray exposure age of 18.5 Ma are reported.

The H (relatively high in total iron) chondrites are the second largest group of ordinary chondrite falls and represent over 35% of well-classified, witnessed falls. As of late May 2017, Ehole was one of 174 meteorite falls classified exactly as an H5 chondrite.

The 2.4 kg stone was obtained by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and later distributed (1.53 kg to the United States Museum). This stone provided most of the material used in the sources cited here.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

11 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

ⓘ H5 chondrite meteorite

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

Wlotzka, F. (2005) Cr spinel and chromite as petrogenetic indicators in ordinary chondrites: Equilibration temperatures of petrologic types 3.7 to 6. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 40 (11) 1673-1702. (Nov 1905).

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

Dunn, T.L., Cressy, G., McSween Jr, H.Y. & McCoy, T.J. (2010) Analysis of ordinary chondrites using powder X-ray diffraction: 1. Modal mineral abundances. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 45(1):123-134. (Jan 2010). between textural maturity and temperature: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 71(7):1855-1881. (April 2007).

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Olivine Composition (Fa19) characteristic of H-group chondrites (Fa~17-20 mol%).

References:

Fireman, E. L. (1962) The Ehole Meteorite, Its Acquisition and Its Radioactivity: Journal of Geophysical Research 67(6): 2592-2594. (June 1962).

Mason, Brian (1963) Olivine composition in chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 27 (10) 1011-1023 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(63)90062-0

Keil, K. & Fredriksson, K. (1964) The Fe.Mg and Ca Distribution in Coexisting Olivines and Rhombic Pyroxenes of Chondrites. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres 69 (16): 3487-3515. (August 1964)

ⓘ Graphite

Formula: C

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Isocubanite

Formula: CuFe₂S₃

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Mackinawite

Formula: FeS

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Native Copper

Formula: Cu

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

Wood, J.A. (1967) Chondrites: Their metallic minerals, thermal histories, and parent planets. Icarus 6 (1):1-49.

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

Wood, J.A. (1967) Chondrites: Their metallic minerals, thermal histories, and parent planets. Icarus 6 (1):1-49.

Taylor, G. J. & Heymann, D. (1971) The formation of clear taenite in ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 35(2): 175-188. (Feb 1971).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

Description: Orthopyroxene composition (Fs17) from Dunn (2008).

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

Fireman, E. L. (1962) The Ehole Meteorite, Its Acquisition and Its Radioactivity: Journal of Geophysical Research 67(6): 2592-2594. (June 1962).

ⓘ Taenite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

Wood, J.A. (1967) Chondrites: Their metallic minerals, thermal histories, and parent planets. Icarus 6 (1):1-49.

Taylor, G. J. & Heymann, D. (1971) The formation of clear taenite in ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 35(2): 175-188. (Feb 1971).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Tetrataenite

Formula: FeNi

Description: Presence of tetrataenite (Fe,Ni) [then unknown] became obvious later thanks to the work of J.I. Goldstein and others.

References:

Taylor, G. J. & Heymann, D. (1971) The formation of clear taenite in ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 35(2): 175-188. (Feb 1971).

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Fireman, E. L. (1962) The Ehole Meteorite, Its Acquisition and Its Radioactivity: Journal of Geophysical Research 67(6): 2592-2594. (June 1962).

Wood, J.A. (1967) Chondrites: Their metallic minerals, thermal histories, and parent planets. Icarus 6 (1):1-49.

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Copper	1.AA.05	Cu
ⓘ	Native Iron	1.AE.05	Fe
ⓘ	var. Kamacite	1.AE.05	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Taenite	1.AE.10	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Tetrataenite	1.AE.10	FeNi
ⓘ	Graphite	1.CB.05a	C
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Isocubanite	2.CB.55b	CuFe₂S₃
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
ⓘ	Mackinawite	2.CC.25	FeS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Diopside	9.DA.15	CaMgSi₂O₆
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Graphite	C
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃
S	ⓘ Mackinawite	FeS
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Mackinawite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Tetrataenite	FeNi
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Tetrataenite	FeNi
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Native Copper	Cu
Cu	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AfricaContinent

African PlateTectonic Plate

Angola Interior basinBasin
Congo Craton
- Angolan ShieldShield

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.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=7774

www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com (n.d.) http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/test/Ehole.JPG

Krinov, E.L. (Editor) (1962) The Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 23. Moscow.

Fireman, E. L. (1962) The Ehole Meteorite, Its Acquisition and Its Radioactivity: Journal of Geophysical Research 67(6): 2592-2594. (June 1962).

Mason, Brian (1963) Olivine composition in chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 27 (10) 1011-1023 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(63)90062-0

Wood, J.A. (1967) Chondrites: Their metallic minerals, thermal histories, and parent planets. Icarus 6 (1):1-49.

Taylor, G. J. & Heymann, D. (1971) The formation of clear taenite in ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 35(2): 175-188. (Feb 1971).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

Graham, A. L., Bevan, A. W. R., Hutchison, R. (1985) Catalogue of Meteorites - With Special Reference to those Represented in the Collection of the British Museum (Natural History) (4th ed.) British Museum (Natural History), London.

Wasson, John T., Wang, Sichao (1991) The histories of ordinary chondrite parent bodies: U,Th-He age distributions. Meteoritics, 26 (2) 161-167 doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.1991.tb01033.x

Graf, Th., Marti K. (1995) Collisional history of H chondrites. Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets: 100: 21247–21263 (Oct 1995).

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

Wlotzka F. (2005) Cr spinel and chromite as petrogenetic indicators in ordinary chondrites: Equilibration temperatures of petrologic types 3.7 to 6. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 40 (11): 1673-1702. (Nov 2005).

Dunn, T.L. (2008) Determination of Mineral Abundances in Ordinary Chondrites Using Powder X-ray Diffraction: Applications to Parent Body Processes and Asteroid Spectroscopy. Doctoral Dissertation: Univ. Tenn., Knoxville. 161 pages.

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

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 12:24:24 Page updated: August 9, 2025 04:11:59

Go to top of page

Ehole meteorite, Namacunde, Cunene Province, AngolaiRegional Level TypesEhole meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location NamacundeMunicipality Cunene ProvinceProvince AngolaCountry 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

Ehole meteorite, Namacunde, Cunene Province, Angola i
Regional Level Types
Ehole meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Namacunde Municipality
Cunene Province Province
Angola Country