Innisfree meteorite, Minburn County, Alberta, Canadai
Regional Level Types | |
---|---|
Innisfree meteorite | Meteorite Fall Location |
Minburn County | County |
Alberta | Province |
Canada | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
53° 24' 53'' North , 111° 20' 15'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Locality type:
Meteorite Class:
Meteoritical Society Class:
Köppen climate type:
Ordinary chondrite,brecciated (L5; S3; W0)
Fell, 6 Feb 1977; 4.58 kg
At 02:17:38 UT a bright fireball was photographed by cameras of the Canadian Meteorite and Recovery Project. Analysis indicated that a likely meteorite would have fallen ~140 km E of Edmonton. On February 17, only a few hours after a search had begun, a 2 kg chondrite was found lying on the snow where it had bounced from the hardened soil. In April, after the snow had melted 8 additional smaller pieces were found in the general area by both researchers and a local farmer. Photographs indicated that the meteorite had entered the atmosphere at 14.2 km/s and had been photographed at heights of 20-62 km with fragmentation occurring at the lower altitudes. A pre-impact orbit was determined (a= 1.8 a.u., e= 0.44, P= 2.4 yr) which indicated that the meteoroid was a orbital outlier of the asteroid belt. While scientific networks and amateur cameras have made determinations of pre-impact meteoroid orbits a much more common occurrence in today's world, Innisfree was only the third meteorite with an orbit referenced to a determinative photographic record. These 3 meteorites (Pribram [1959], Lost City [1961],Innisfree [1975]) made it evident what had already been suspected — most meteorites are indeed orbital stragglers from the asteroid belt.
The meteorite itself is somewhat unusual as it appears to be a chondritic breccia with clasts of varying metamorphic grade and, sometimes, darker colors within the overall light grey host. Chondrules, chondrule fragments and lithic fragments (up to 2 mm in diameter) account for ~50 vol% of the meteorite. Olivine and pyroxene are the predominant silicates with minor, well-crystallized plagioclase present in the matrix. Both orthopyroxene and inverted clinopyroxene are found as well as devitrified glass. Troilite and lesser amounts of Fe-Ni metal account for less than 1 vol% of the meteorite. Accessory chromite, ilmenite, and phosphates are found only as minor accessories. Some devitrified glass is found within chondrules and occasional grains of troilite contain immiscible metal droplets. Nickel abundances within Fe-Ni metal vary wildly (2—57 wt%Ni) with a major peak at 6-7 % and a minor peak at 52-53%.
The L (relatively low in total iron) chondrites are the largest group of ordinary chondrites and represent ~40% of fully classified falls. The main mass of the Innisfree meteorite has been retained by the Geological Survey of Canada.
Nota Bene: The current 'L5' classification listed at the Meteoritical Bulletin is based upon the work by Rubin (1990). Rubin's classification relied heavily upon a 24 point count analyses of olivine (n=9) and kamacite (n=15) with both minerals exhibiting very little compositional scatter in the studied samples. However, Smith (1980) classified Innisfree as an 'LL5' (very low in total iron) chondrite as he had derived a slightly higher fayalite value for olivine (Fa 27.1 mol%) than Rubin had derived later (Fa 25.3 mol%). However, a very wide range for Ni in metal also reported by Smith was based upon over 500 spot analyses. This variability — as well as the Ni peak at ~52 wt%Ni (suggestive of possible tetrataenite) — may be indicators of heterogeneity in the actual meteorite that is not captured under its current simple 'L5' label.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsMineral List
8 valid minerals.
Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded
Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!
Select Rock List Type
Alphabetical List Tree DiagramDetailed Mineral List:
ⓘ Chlorapatite Formula: Ca5(PO4)3Cl Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ Chromite Formula: Fe2+Cr3+2O4 Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup' Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ Copper Formula: Cu Reference: Rubin, A.E. (1994) Metallic copper in ordinary chondrites. Meteoritics 29 (1): 93-98. (Jan 1994). |
ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series' Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).; Rubin, A.E. (1990) Olivine & Kamacite in Ordinary Chondrites: Intergroup and Intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 1217-1230.; Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages. |
ⓘ 'Glass' Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).; Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages. |
ⓘ Ilmenite Formula: Fe2+TiO3 Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ Iron Formula: Fe Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).; Rubin, A.E. (1994) Metallic copper in ordinary chondrites. Meteoritics 29 (1): 93-98. (Jan 1994).; Rubin, A.E. (1990) Olivine & Kamacite in Ordinary Chondrites: Intergroup and Intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 1217-1230. |
ⓘ Iron var. Kamacite Formula: (Fe,Ni) Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).; Rubin, A.E. (1994) Metallic copper in ordinary chondrites. Meteoritics 29 (1): 93-98. (Jan 1994).; Rubin, A.E. (1990) Olivine & Kamacite in Ordinary Chondrites: Intergroup and Intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 1217-1230. |
ⓘ Merrillite Formula: Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup' Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ 'Plagioclase' Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).; Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages. |
ⓘ 'Pyroxene Group' Formula: ADSi2O6 Reference: Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages. |
ⓘ Taenite Formula: (Fe,Ni) Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980). |
ⓘ Troilite Formula: FeS Reference: Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).; Rubin, A.E. (1994) Metallic copper in ordinary chondrites. Meteoritics 29 (1): 93-98. (Jan 1994).; Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages. |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
Group 1 - Elements | |||
---|---|---|---|
ⓘ | Copper | 1.AA.05 | Cu |
ⓘ | Iron | 1.AE.05 | Fe |
ⓘ | var. Kamacite | 1.AE.05 | (Fe,Ni) |
ⓘ | Taenite | 1.AE.10 | (Fe,Ni) |
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
ⓘ | Troilite | 2.CC.10 | FeS |
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
ⓘ | Chromite | 4.BB.05 | Fe2+Cr3+2O4 |
ⓘ | Ilmenite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2+TiO3 |
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
ⓘ | Chlorapatite | 8.BN.05 | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
ⓘ | Merrillite | 8.AC.45 | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc. | |||
ⓘ | 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup' | - | |
ⓘ | 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series' | - | |
ⓘ | 'Glass' | - | |
ⓘ | 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup' | - | |
ⓘ | 'Plagioclase' | - | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
ⓘ | 'Pyroxene Group' | - | ADSi2O6 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
O | Oxygen | |
---|---|---|
O | ⓘ Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
O | ⓘ Chromite | Fe2+Cr23+O4 |
O | ⓘ Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
O | ⓘ Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
O | ⓘ Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
O | ⓘ Pyroxene Group | ADSi2O6 |
Na | Sodium | |
Na | ⓘ Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
Na | ⓘ Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
Mg | Magnesium | |
Mg | ⓘ Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
Al | Aluminium | |
Al | ⓘ Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
Si | Silicon | |
Si | ⓘ Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
Si | ⓘ Pyroxene Group | ADSi2O6 |
P | Phosphorus | |
P | ⓘ Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
P | ⓘ Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
S | Sulfur | |
S | ⓘ Troilite | FeS |
Cl | Chlorine | |
Cl | ⓘ Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
Ca | Calcium | |
Ca | ⓘ Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
Ca | ⓘ Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
Ca | ⓘ Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
Ti | Titanium | |
Ti | ⓘ Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
Cr | Chromium | |
Cr | ⓘ Chromite | Fe2+Cr23+O4 |
Fe | Iron | |
Fe | ⓘ Chromite | Fe2+Cr23+O4 |
Fe | ⓘ Iron var. Kamacite | (Fe,Ni) |
Fe | ⓘ Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
Fe | ⓘ Taenite | (Fe,Ni) |
Fe | ⓘ Troilite | FeS |
Fe | ⓘ Iron | Fe |
Ni | Nickel | |
Ni | ⓘ Iron var. Kamacite | (Fe,Ni) |
Ni | ⓘ Taenite | (Fe,Ni) |
Cu | Copper | |
Cu | ⓘ Copper | Cu |
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Halliday, I., Blackwell, A.T. & Griffin, A.A. (1977). Photographic Observations and Orbit of the Innisfree Meteorite: Meteoritics 12(3): 248-249. (Sept 1977).
Graham, A.L. - Editor (1978). Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 55. Meteoritics 13(3): 327-352 (Sept 1978).
Halliday, I., Blackwell, A.T., Griffin, A.A. (1978) The Innisfree meteorite and the Canadian Camera network: J. Roy. Astron. Soc. Canada 72, 15-39. (Feb 1978).
Smith, D.G.W. (1980) The mineral chemistry of the Innisfree meteorite: Canadian Mineralogist 18 (4): 432-442. (Nov 1980).
Graham, A. L., Bevan, A. W. R. & Hutchison, B. (1985) Catalogue of Meteorites (4/e). University of Arizona Press: Tucson.
Rubin, A.E. (1990) Olivine & Kamacite in Ordinary Chondrites: Intergroup and Intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 54: 1217-1230.
Rubin, A.E. (1994) Metallic copper in ordinary chondrites. Meteoritics 29 (1): 93-98. (Jan 1994).
Grady, M.M (2000). Catalogue of Meteorites (5/e). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge; New York; Oakleigh; Madrid; Cape Town. 689 pages.
Rubin, A.E. (2004) Shock Annealing and postannealing shock in equilibrated ordinary chondrites: implications for the thermal and shock histories of chondritic asteroids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 68 (3): 673-689.
Grady, M.M., Pratesi, G. & Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom. 373 pages.
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