Petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the olivine diogenite NWA 4255: new insights into the magmatic evolution of asteroid 4 Vesta

Northwest Africa (NWA) 4255 is a meteorite found in the region of Tindouf (southwestern Algeria), classified as brecciated olivine diogenite. Based on textural observations and orthopyroxene compositions, two different lithologies were determined: harzburgitic and orthopyroxenitic. The orthopyroxenitic lithology contains orthopyroxene (Mg no. 73.99–75.68) and spinel (Cr no. 83.09–85.11, Mg no. 15.57–22.45). On the other hand, the harzburgitic lithology contains orthopyroxene (Mg no. 74.54–77.14) and olivine (Mg no. 70.94–72.57). The iron metal and the sulfides (Troilites) of this sample are present in both lithologies and are low in Ni (Ni < 0.1 wt%). The Fe/Mn ratio of orthopyroxenes ranges from 22.28 to 32.64 and show a large overlap between both lithologies. Lowest ratios are unusual; they are below the defined field for diogenites and olivine diogenites. ∆17O values are − 0.234 ± 0.003 (1σ) and confirm that the NWA 4255 originated from 4Vesta. The results of this study show that there is a genetic linkage between the two lithologies of NWA 4255 and correspond to in situ crystallization processes. This olivine diogenite reflects transition between two major magmatic processes in 4Vesta. The magma ocean of 4Vesta crystallized at equilibrium, allowing the formation of a dunitic and harzburgitic mantle. This late lithology is linked to the peritectic reaction between the olivines formed and the evolved liquid. Our sample then reflects this crucial step of separating this mantle from the residual liquid. This melt evolving on the peritectic allowed the formation of the observed harzburgitic assemblage and then evolves out from the peritectic reaction to proceed to a fractional crystallization process involving the formation of orthopyroxenite

A mineralogical and geochemical study of polymict eucrite discovered in Sahara of southwest Algeria

International audienceNWA2268 is a polymict eucrite discovered in the Sahara, at southwest Algeria, close to the region of Tindouf. This meteorite weighs 65 g and presents a thin black fusion crust. The rock is fine- to medium-grained breccia and contains mineral fragments of plagioclases, pyroxenes, spinel, olivine and silica. The rock contains some basaltic fragments with sub-ophitic or cumulative textures, constituted by plagioclases and exsolved pigeonite. Pyroxferroite grains are present and locally destabilised in an association of hedenbergite, fayalite and silica. It also presents unequilibrated eucritic clast with heterogeneous pyroxenes and plagioclases compositions. Pyroxenes in the all of the other clasts have equilibrated composition, with exolved pigeonites with augite lamellaes. This polymict eucrite contains also partially devitrified glass that represents impact melts linked to impact event. None recrystallization of this glass confirms a lack of post-brecciation metamorphism. Diogenitic fragments are less abundant than 10 %. The oxygen isotopic composition of NWA2268 is Δ17O (−0.43). This meteorite is interpreted as belonging to the HED group attributed to the 4-Vesta asteroid