NWA 2965 was originally classified as an EL7 and NWA
2828 was classified as an Aubrite. They have both been
reclassified as being EL6/7 and NWA 2965 is said to be
paired with NWA 2828 as they came from the same find and
were only different due to leaching out of matrix by the
salt in the ground causing different colored interior at
times.
I seem to see structural differences in the two which
causes me to wonder if it could of been a breccia.
Jeff Hodges had this thin section of NWA 2965 (NWA 2828
is on it's way) made to our new standards of 1/4 micron
polish on both sides.
This set of micrographs was taken at a magnification of
700X in cross polarized light.
This is the ©Meteoritical Society posting.
Northwest Africa 2965
Algeria
Find: August 2004
Enstatite chondrite (EL6/7)
History and physical characteristics: Hundreds of
fragments that weigh >100 kg were collected in the
Algerian desert in 2004. Small fragments (~100 g) are
commonly weathered to a dark brown with very dark
weathering veins. Large pieces may retain portions of
weathered fusion crust with only moderate to lightly
weathered interiors. Petrography: (T. Bunch and J.
Wittke, NAU) A completely recrystallized enstatite
chondrite with polygonal to irregular grain outlines.
The grain size varies from 0.02 to 0.7 mm. Round,
curved, blocky objects contain coarser-grained
orthopyroxene than in the matrix. No relict chondrules
were observed in ~32 cm2 that were analyzed. Metal,
daubreelite, and tiny, vermicular grains of graphite are
also present and constitute <3 vol%. Mineral
compositions: Orthopyroxene (Fs98.4±0.02), plagioclase
(An17.8Or4.4), troilite with Ti = 0.91, Cr = 1.10, Zn =
0.6 (all wt%). Classification: Enstatite chondrite
(EL6/7); minimal shock, variable weathering (W2–W5). It
has absolutely no evidence of chondrules. Type specimen:
A 24 g sample is on deposit at NAU. Turecki and Reed
hold the main mass.














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