Monthly Favourite Meteorite (NWA 3118)

Northwest Africa 3118 (NWA 3118)

Northwest Africa 3118 (NWA 3118) was discovered in 2003 in the Sahara Desert in Northwest Africa. It was found in the form of hundreds of fragments with a combined weight of 5895g although it is suspected that there are a few more kilograms of paired material. It was classified as a rare Carbonaceous Chondrite, CV3. NWA 3118 has a low weathering grade making it a beautiful bright fresh CV3. The classification states that chondrules are generally less than 2mm in diameter although it is not unusual to find chondrules several millimetres or more in size. It was also mentioned that no metal was observed in the matrix however some chondrules do contain metal. There are numerous CAI's (Calcium Aluminium-Rich Inclusions) throughout samples of this meteorite, some of which are highly irregular in shape and appearance. A very few pieces of NWA 3118 have also been found to contain Dark Inclusions (DI's) as pictured below. These specimens are part of the Meteorites Australia Collection.

NWA 3118 (CV3) 7.7g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
NWA 3118 (CV3) 7.7g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
Enlargement ---> 1000 x 481 (188KB)

NWA 3118 (CV3) 7.7g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
NWA 3118 (CV3) 7.7g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
Enlargement ---> 1000 x 479 (185KB)

NWA 3118 (CV3) 7.7g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
NWA 3118 (CV3) 7.7g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
Enlargement ---> 1000 x 638 (249KB)

NWA 3118 (CV3) 1.55g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.
NWA 3118 (CV3) 1.55g Complete Slice with Dark Inclusion.

NWA 3118 (CV3) 1.8g Endcut.
NWA 3118 (CV3) 1.8g Endcut.

NWA 3118 (CV3) 1.8g Endcut.
NWA 3118 (CV3) 1.8g Endcut with unusual 'donut' CAI.

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