Ordinary chondrite, veined (L6; S3)
Fell, 6 April 1914, 7:00 hrs; 45.4 kg, shower

After detonations, a shower of stones fell over 4 villages. The largest stone (32.2 kg) fell in Kuttippuram. Variegated clasts and chondrules (and smaller Fe-Ni grains) are scattered throughout an unevenly textured, but largely equilibrated matrix. Chondrules are frequently indistinct and in various stages of recrystallization. Compositionally and texturally, total iron contents (23.1 wt%Fe), olivine (Fa24.3) and low Ca-orthopyroxene ('hypersthene') are characteristic of L6 ordinary chondrites.

Mineralogically the meteorite consists primarily of dominant olivine and orthopyroxene accompanied by minor plagioclase, troilite, and Fe-Ni metal. Accessory chromite, copper, ilmenite, and other minor sulfides are reported as well. Shock indicators include veins, glass, deformed plagioclase, fractured olivine grains w. undulose extinction, and numerous tiny clasts of melt-rock.

A helium [Pb,Th:He] gas release age of 2.34 Ga may record one or more major post-formational collisional events.

The L-group of ordinary chondrites (relatively low in total iron) are the largest group of classified witnessed meteorite falls and account for ~45% of all well-classified meteorite falls. The L6 petrologic type accounts for ~ 70% of the group. 272 meteorite falls had been classified exactly as 'L6' chondrites by early June 2017. Kuttippuram is the 22nd most massive of the 272 witnessed meteorite falls currently classified exactly as an 'L6' chondrite (June 2017). Bruderheim, a Canadian fall, is the most massive L6 (200 kg).

The main mass has been kept at the Geological Survey of India in Calcutta. A ~400 g mass has been held at the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris with several very small fragments elsewhere.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

9 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

ⓘ L6 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

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

Dube, A., Fredriksson, B.J., Jarosewich, E., Nelen, J.A., Noonan, A.F., O'Keefe, J. & Fredriksson, K. (1977) Eight L-Group chondrites: A Comparative Study. Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences, no. 19: 71-82.

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Dodd (1979) olivine composition [Fa24.3] characteristic of the L-group ordinary chondrites.

References:

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)

Dodd, R.T. & Jarosewich, E. (1979) Incipient melting in and shock classification of L-Group chondrites: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 44:335-340.

ⓘ 'Glass'

Description: Minor glass aggregates and melt facies noted by several observers.

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:

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

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

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

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

Dodd, R.T. & Jarosewich, E. (1979) Incipient melting in and shock classification of L-Group chondrites: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 44:335-340.

ⓘ 'Plessite'

References:

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

ⓘ Taenite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

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

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

Description: Troilite is usually quite sparse.

References:

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)
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
ⓘ	'Plessite'	-
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Glass'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

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	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Native Copper	Cu
Cu	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

Indian Plate (India Plate)Tectonic Plate

Konkan-Kerala basinBasin
Southern Granulite TerraneOrogenic Belt

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References

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=12384

Friedrich, J.M., Bridges, J.C., Wang, M-S., and Lipschutz, M.E. ( 2004) Chemical studies of L chondrites. VI: Variations with petrographic type and shock-loading among equilibrated falls. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68(13), 2889-2904 (1 July 2004).

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

www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com (n.d.) http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/test/12384_3880_126.jpg

adsabs.harvard.edu (n.d.) http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1977SmCES.19..71D

Prior, G. T. (1923) Catalogue of Meteorites - With Special Reference to those Represented in the Collection of the British Museum (Natural History) (1st ed.) The Trustees of the British Museum, London.

Keil, K. and 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).

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

Dube, A., Fredriksson, B.J., Jarosewich, E., Nelen, J.A., Noonan, A.F., O'Keefe, J., and Fredriksson, K. (1977) Eight L-Group chondrites: A Comparative Study. Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences, 19, 71-82.

Dodd, R.T. and Jarosewich, E. (1979) Incipient melting in and shock classification of L-Group chondrites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 44, 335-340.

Rubin, A.E., Peterson, E., Keil, K., Rehfeldt, A., and Jarosewich, E. (1983) Fragmental breccias and the collisional evolution of ordinary chondrite parent bodies. Meteoritics, 18(3), 179-196 (Sept. 1983).

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

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

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

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Kuttippuram meteorite, Malappuram district, Kerala, IndiaiRegional Level TypesKuttippuram meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location Malappuram districtDistrict KeralaState IndiaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Detailed Mineral List:

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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

Kuttippuram meteorite, Malappuram district, Kerala, India i
Regional Level Types
Kuttippuram meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Malappuram district District
Kerala State
India Country