NWA 4560 (LL3.1) - 6.72g Complete Slice
Northwest Africa 4560 (NWA 4560) was found in
the Sahara Desert in Northwest Africa in June, 2006. Five stones
totalling 900g were found with a varnished crust which displayed
inclusions and an obvious chondrule-rich interior. NWA 4560 was
originally classified as an LL3.7 but after further extensive
studies it was found that this meteorite is actually an
extremely unequilibrated LL3.1 while the Shock Rating is S2 and
the Weathering Level is W2. The five
stones were all slightly different and the specimen below was
taken from a brecciated 'dual lithology' stone which has two
very distinct halves. NWA 4560 also shares some remarkable
similarities with
NWA 3119. The specimen
below is part of the Meteorites Australia Collection
(MA.07.0003).
Lithology 1: (Left in first image) has fewer
chondrules and much more of the orange/yellow interstitial
matrix. The chondrules also appear to be slightly more
equilibrated than the other lithology and there are more
chondrule fragments. There is a fragmented
Bleached Chondrule in the centre of the first image on the
border of the two halves. The metal in this half is in slightly
larger grains/clumps than the other and Troilite (FeS) is also
much more plentiful.
Lithology 2: (Right in first image) has more
defined crisp chondrules with is set in a darker but hardly
noticeable matrix. In fact, most of what appears to be matrix
between the larger chondrules are primarily tiny
chondrules. Metal is also finer and distributed more evenly
although there is a relatively large armoured chondrule towards
the bottom centre edge.
![NWA 4560 (LL3.1, S2, W2) - 6.72g Complete Slice](http://www.meteorites.com.au/collection/NWA%204560%20LL3.7%206.72g%20(1%20of%202).jpg)
NWA 4560 (LL3.1) - 6.72g Complete Slice.
Enlargement --->
1200 x 991 (493KB)
![NWA 4560 (LL3.1, S2, W2) - 6.72g Complete Slice](http://www.meteorites.com.au/collection/NWA%204560%20LL3.7%206.72g%20(2%20of%202).jpg)
NWA 4560 (LL3.1) - 6.72g Complete Slice.
Enlargement --->
1200 x 998 (524KB)
![NWA 4560 (LL3.1, S2, W2) - 6.72g Complete Slice](http://www.meteorites.com.au/collection/NWA%204560%20Annotated.jpg)
NWA 4560 (LL3.1) - 6.72g Complete Slice. (Annotated Image)
Enlargement --->
1200 x 991 (500KB)
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