Nakhlites are a rare and well-defined subgroup of Martian meteorites, representing igneous rocks crystallized from basaltic magma on Mars. Their name derives from the historic Nakhla fall in Egypt in 1911, one of the first meteorites firmly linked to the planet Mars.
Mineralogically, nakhlites are dominated by clinopyroxene crystals, typically augite, set within a fine-grained matrix. Their textures indicate slow cooling near the surface of Mars, likely within shallow lava flows or intrusive bodies. Many nakhlites also preserve secondary alteration features formed through interaction with Martian fluids, providing direct evidence of aqueous processes on Mars.
As part of the broader SNC group, nakhlites occupy a distinct position within Martian meteorites, offering unique insight into the volcanic and hydrological history of the Martian crust. Their internal structures and mineral assemblages make them key reference materials for understanding near-surface magmatic processes on Mars.
