Mars meteorite, DHOFAR019, a Shergottite with smectite-calcite-gypsum "orangettes" replacing maskelynite, which are similar to those in Allan Hills 84001 !
NAME: DHOFAR019.
TYPE: Martian basalt (shergottite)
COUNTRY: Oman.
CO-ORDINATES: 18°18.97' N , 54°08.87' E
DATE OF FIND: Found 2000 January 24.
T. K.W: 1056g.
A brownish gray stone weighing 1056 g was found in the desert. Mineralogy and classification (M. Nazarov and M. Ivanova, Vernad; L. A. Taylor, UTenn): fusion crust absent; meteorite is a doleritic rock consisting of subhedral grains (0.2-0.5 mm) of pigeonite (Wo9-15 En40-70, Fe/Mn = 20-40 at.), augite (Wo30-40 En40-55), olivine (Fo25-60, Fe/Mn = 50-60 at.), and feldspar (An36-68) converted to maskelynite; olivine has higher Fe/Mg than that of coexisting pyroxenes, as it is in nakhlites; mineral modes (approx. vol%) are pyroxene = 65, maskelynite = 25, and olivine = 10, with accessory silica, K-rich feldspar, whitlockite, chlorapatite, chromite, ilmenite, titanomagnetite, magnetite, and pyrrhotite; secondary phases are calcite, gypsum, smectite, celestite, and Fe hydroxides; shock features include fracturing and mosaicism, maskelynite, and rare impact melt pockets; extensive terrestrial weathering present mainly as carbonate veins crosscutting the meteorite, however there are smectite-calcite-gypsum "orangettes" replacing maskelynite, which are similar to those in Allan Hills 84001 and could be of Martian origin; bulk chemistry close to Shergotty, with light rare earth elements strongly depleted. Specimens: type specimens, 113 g, 4 g, and 2 g, and two thin sections, Vernad; main mass with anonymous finder.
