Ouallen meteorite, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Bordj Badji Mokhtar District, Bordj Badji Mokhtar Province, Algeriai

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

Ordinary Chondrite (H6)
Find,1936; 5.174 kg

Multiple fragments of a chondritic meteorite were found in the desert with 11 fragments at one site (4.849 kg) and 2 additional fragments at another site several hundred meters away (325 g). Initial studies suggest an H-group ordinary chondrite of advanced petrologic grade. Average Olivine (Fa20) and Pyroxene (Fs18) are characteristic of H (relatively high in total iron) ordinary chondrites. However, in some portions of the meteorite, several types of chondrules in the 0.2-2.0 mm diameter range are reported with relatively distinct boundaries between chondrules and matrix. Porphyritic chondrules are dominant, but significant numbers of prominent and sometimes glassy barred olivine (BO) chondrules are also prominent in specimens studied by Oba et al. (1998). The primary silicates are accompanied by Fe-Ni metal, troilite, and minor diopsidic clinopyroxene. Accessory chromite, copper, and isocubanite are also reported. Rare grains of Fe-poor Clinoenstatite and Forsterite [sensu stricto] are also reported.

Classification Problematics. Textural features and compositional variability of major silicates reported by Oba et al. are often inconsistent with a normal H6 classification. Whether these petrologic oddities are indicative of occasional xenoliths or a possible misclassification is not obvious from the readily available sources cited here.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References