Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite

the UK Fireball Alliance; Luke Daly; Martin D. Suttle; Martin R. Lee; John Bridges; Leon Hicks; Pierre‐Etienne M. C. Martin; Cameron J. Floyd; Laura E. Jenkins; Tobias Salge; Ashley J. King; Natasha V. Almeida; Diane Johnson; Patrick W. Trimby; Haithem Mansour; Fabian B. Wadsworth; Gavyn Rollinson; Matthew J. Genge; James Darling; Paul A. J. Bagot; Lee F. White; Natasha R. Stephen; Jennifer T. Mitchell; Sammy Griffin; Francesca M. Willcocks; Rhian Jones; Sandra Piazolo; Joshua F. Einsle; Alice Macente; Lydia J. Hallis; Aine O'Brien; Paul F. Schofield; Sara S. Russell; Helena Bates; Caroline Smith; Ian Franchi; Lucy V. Forman; Phil A. Bland; David Westmoreland; Iain Anderson; Richard Taylor; Mark Montgomery; Mark Parsons; Jérémie Vasseur; Matthias van Ginneken; Penelope J. Wozniakiewicz; Mark J. Burchell; Daniel Hallatt; Luke S. Alesbrook; Vassilia Spathis; Richard Worden

doi:10.1111/maps.14164

Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite

the UK Fireball Alliance, Luke Daly^*, Martin D. Suttle, Martin R. Lee, John Bridges, Leon Hicks, Pierre‐Etienne M. C. Martin, Cameron J. Floyd, Laura E. Jenkins, Tobias Salge, Ashley J. King, Natasha V. Almeida, Diane Johnson, Patrick W. Trimby, Haithem Mansour, Fabian B. Wadsworth, Gavyn Rollinson, Matthew J. Genge, James Darling, Paul A. J. BagotLee F. White, Natasha R. Stephen, Jennifer T. Mitchell, Sammy Griffin, Francesca M. Willcocks, Rhian Jones, Sandra Piazolo, Joshua F. Einsle, Alice Macente, Lydia J. Hallis, Aine O'Brien, Paul F. Schofield, Sara S. Russell, Helena Bates, Caroline Smith, Ian Franchi, Lucy V. Forman, Phil A. Bland, David Westmoreland, Iain Anderson, Richard Taylor, Mark Montgomery, Mark Parsons, Jérémie Vasseur, Matthias van Ginneken, Penelope J. Wozniakiewicz, Mark J. Burchell, Daniel Hallatt, Luke S. Alesbrook, Vassilia Spathis, Richard Worden

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

The Mighei‐like carbonaceous (CM) chondrites have been altered to various extents by water–rock reactions on their parent asteroid(s). This aqueous processing has destroyed much of the primary mineralogy of these meteorites, and the degree of alteration is highly heterogeneous at both the macroscale and nanoscale. Many CM meteorites are also heavily brecciated juxtaposing clasts with different alteration histories. Here we present results from the fine‐grained team consortium study of the Winchcombe meteorite, a recent CM chondrite fall that is a breccia and contains eight discrete lithologies that span a range of petrologic subtypes (CM2.0–2.6) that are suspended in a cataclastic matrix. Coordinated multitechnique, multiscale analyses of this breccia reveal substantial heterogeneity in the extent of alteration, even in highly aqueously processed lithologies. Some lithologies exhibit the full range and can comprise nearly unaltered coarse‐grained primary components that are found directly alongside other coarse‐grained components that have experienced complete pseudomorphic replacement by secondary minerals. The preservation of the complete alteration sequence and pseudomorph textures showing tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths are replacing carbonates suggest that CMs may be initially more carbonate rich than previously thought. This heterogeneity in aqueous alteration extent is likely due to a combination of microscale variability in permeability and water/rock ratio generating local microenvironments as has been established previously. Nevertheless, some of the disequilibrium mineral assemblages observed, such as hydrous minerals juxtaposed with surviving phases that are typically more fluid susceptible, can only be reconciled by multiple generations of alteration, disruption, and reaccretion of the CM parent body at the grain scale.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1068-1100
Number of pages	33
Journal	Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement
Volume	59
Issue number	5
Early online date	15 Apr 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14164
Publication status	Published - May 2024

Funding

This publication is part of the Winchcombe science team consortium, organized by the UK Fireball Alliance and conducted by the UK Cosmochemistry Network. The authors of this paper would like to thank the UK Fireball Alliance, its constituent networks (UK Fireball Network, SCAMP, UKMON, AllSky7, NEMETODE, and GMN), international collaborators (FRIPON, Global Fireball Observatory, Desert Fireball Network, the University of Western Ontario and the University of Helsinki), and the meteor observation camera owners who participate in the UK Fireball Alliance network for their aid in observing the fireball and helping to predict its fall position. The authors also thank the scientists and volunteers that participated in the UK Fireball Alliance led search and recovery of the Winchcombe meteorite, and the local community, who generously reported and donated meteorite finds and enabled the team to search the strewn field. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) are acknowledged for supporting the \u201CCuration and Preliminary Examination of the Winchcombe Carbonaceous Chondrite Fall\u201D project (ST/V000799/1), and Natural History Museum staff for curatorial support. Luke Daly thanks the University of Glasgow COVID\u201019 Research Support Scheme grant. Luke Daly and Martin R. Lee thank STFC (ST/Y004817/1, ST/T002328/1, and ST/W001128/1) for support. Mark J. Burchell acknowledges support from STFC (ST/S000348/1). Kate Black and Richard Worden acknowledge support from EPSRC (EP/V007610/1, \u201CUltra high\u2010resolution 3D and 4D X\u2010ray imaging\u201D). John Bridges and Leon Hicks acknowledge support from STFC grant ST/R00143X/1. Rhian Jones was supported by STFC grant ST/V000675/1. The authors further thank Liene Spruziniece for maintaining the ISAAC facility at the University of Glasgow.

Keywords

meteorites
breccia
lithologies

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10.1111/maps.14164Licence: CC BY 4.0

Daly-etal-MPSS-2024-Brecciation-at-the-grain-scale-within-the-lithologies-of-the-Winchcombe-Mighei-like-carbonaceous-chondriteFinal published version, 7.77 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

Cite this

the UK Fireball Alliance, Daly, L., Suttle, M. D., Lee, M. R., Bridges, J., Hicks, L., Martin, PE. M. C., Floyd, C. J., Jenkins, L. E., Salge, T., King, A. J., Almeida, N. V., Johnson, D., Trimby, P. W., Mansour, H., Wadsworth, F. B., Rollinson, G., Genge, M. J., Darling, J., ... Worden, R. (2024). Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite. Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement, 59(5), 1068-1100. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14164

@article{e7b5719760bb4a85a3a48cdf3b0b6c36,

title = "Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite",

abstract = "The Mighei‐like carbonaceous (CM) chondrites have been altered to various extents by water–rock reactions on their parent asteroid(s). This aqueous processing has destroyed much of the primary mineralogy of these meteorites, and the degree of alteration is highly heterogeneous at both the macroscale and nanoscale. Many CM meteorites are also heavily brecciated juxtaposing clasts with different alteration histories. Here we present results from the fine‐grained team consortium study of the Winchcombe meteorite, a recent CM chondrite fall that is a breccia and contains eight discrete lithologies that span a range of petrologic subtypes (CM2.0–2.6) that are suspended in a cataclastic matrix. Coordinated multitechnique, multiscale analyses of this breccia reveal substantial heterogeneity in the extent of alteration, even in highly aqueously processed lithologies. Some lithologies exhibit the full range and can comprise nearly unaltered coarse‐grained primary components that are found directly alongside other coarse‐grained components that have experienced complete pseudomorphic replacement by secondary minerals. The preservation of the complete alteration sequence and pseudomorph textures showing tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths are replacing carbonates suggest that CMs may be initially more carbonate rich than previously thought. This heterogeneity in aqueous alteration extent is likely due to a combination of microscale variability in permeability and water/rock ratio generating local microenvironments as has been established previously. Nevertheless, some of the disequilibrium mineral assemblages observed, such as hydrous minerals juxtaposed with surviving phases that are typically more fluid susceptible, can only be reconciled by multiple generations of alteration, disruption, and reaccretion of the CM parent body at the grain scale.",

keywords = "meteorites, breccia, lithologies",

author = "{the UK Fireball Alliance} and Luke Daly and Suttle, {Martin D.} and Lee, {Martin R.} and John Bridges and Leon Hicks and Martin, {Pierre‐Etienne M. C.} and Floyd, {Cameron J.} and Jenkins, {Laura E.} and Tobias Salge and King, {Ashley J.} and Almeida, {Natasha V.} and Diane Johnson and Trimby, {Patrick W.} and Haithem Mansour and Wadsworth, {Fabian B.} and Gavyn Rollinson and Genge, {Matthew J.} and James Darling and Bagot, {Paul A. J.} and White, {Lee F.} and Stephen, {Natasha R.} and Mitchell, {Jennifer T.} and Sammy Griffin and Willcocks, {Francesca M.} and Rhian Jones and Sandra Piazolo and Einsle, {Joshua F.} and Alice Macente and Hallis, {Lydia J.} and Aine O'Brien and Schofield, {Paul F.} and Russell, {Sara S.} and Helena Bates and Caroline Smith and Ian Franchi and Forman, {Lucy V.} and Bland, {Phil A.} and David Westmoreland and Iain Anderson and Richard Taylor and Mark Montgomery and Mark Parsons and J{\'e}r{\'e}mie Vasseur and {van Ginneken}, Matthias and Wozniakiewicz, {Penelope J.} and Burchell, {Mark J.} and Daniel Hallatt and Alesbrook, {Luke S.} and Vassilia Spathis and Richard Worden",

year = "2024",

month = may,

doi = "10.1111/maps.14164",

language = "English",

volume = "59",

pages = "1068--1100",

journal = "Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement",

issn = "1086-9379",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "5",

}

the UK Fireball Alliance, Daly, L, Suttle, MD, Lee, MR, Bridges, J, Hicks, L, Martin, PEMC, Floyd, CJ, Jenkins, LE, Salge, T, King, AJ, Almeida, NV, Johnson, D, Trimby, PW, Mansour, H, Wadsworth, FB, Rollinson, G, Genge, MJ, Darling, J, Bagot, PAJ, White, LF, Stephen, NR, Mitchell, JT, Griffin, S, Willcocks, FM, Jones, R, Piazolo, S, Einsle, JF, Macente, A, Hallis, LJ, O'Brien, A, Schofield, PF, Russell, SS, Bates, H, Smith, C, Franchi, I, Forman, LV, Bland, PA, Westmoreland, D, Anderson, I, Taylor, R, Montgomery, M, Parsons, M, Vasseur, J, van Ginneken, M, Wozniakiewicz, PJ, Burchell, MJ, Hallatt, D, Alesbrook, LS, Spathis, V & Worden, R 2024, 'Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite', Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement, vol. 59, no. 5, pp. 1068-1100. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14164

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T1 - Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite

AU - the UK Fireball Alliance

AU - Daly, Luke

AU - Suttle, Martin D.

AU - Lee, Martin R.

AU - Bridges, John

AU - Hicks, Leon

AU - Martin, Pierre‐Etienne M. C.

AU - Floyd, Cameron J.

AU - Jenkins, Laura E.

AU - Salge, Tobias

AU - King, Ashley J.

AU - Almeida, Natasha V.

AU - Johnson, Diane

AU - Trimby, Patrick W.

AU - Mansour, Haithem

AU - Wadsworth, Fabian B.

AU - Rollinson, Gavyn

AU - Genge, Matthew J.

AU - Darling, James

AU - Bagot, Paul A. J.

AU - White, Lee F.

AU - Stephen, Natasha R.

AU - Mitchell, Jennifer T.

AU - Griffin, Sammy

AU - Willcocks, Francesca M.

AU - Jones, Rhian

AU - Piazolo, Sandra

AU - Einsle, Joshua F.

AU - Macente, Alice

AU - Hallis, Lydia J.

AU - O'Brien, Aine

AU - Schofield, Paul F.

AU - Russell, Sara S.

AU - Bates, Helena

AU - Smith, Caroline

AU - Franchi, Ian

AU - Forman, Lucy V.

AU - Bland, Phil A.

AU - Westmoreland, David

AU - Anderson, Iain

AU - Taylor, Richard

AU - Montgomery, Mark

AU - Parsons, Mark

AU - Vasseur, Jérémie

AU - van Ginneken, Matthias

AU - Wozniakiewicz, Penelope J.

AU - Burchell, Mark J.

AU - Hallatt, Daniel

AU - Alesbrook, Luke S.

AU - Spathis, Vassilia

AU - Worden, Richard

PY - 2024/5

Y1 - 2024/5

N2 - The Mighei‐like carbonaceous (CM) chondrites have been altered to various extents by water–rock reactions on their parent asteroid(s). This aqueous processing has destroyed much of the primary mineralogy of these meteorites, and the degree of alteration is highly heterogeneous at both the macroscale and nanoscale. Many CM meteorites are also heavily brecciated juxtaposing clasts with different alteration histories. Here we present results from the fine‐grained team consortium study of the Winchcombe meteorite, a recent CM chondrite fall that is a breccia and contains eight discrete lithologies that span a range of petrologic subtypes (CM2.0–2.6) that are suspended in a cataclastic matrix. Coordinated multitechnique, multiscale analyses of this breccia reveal substantial heterogeneity in the extent of alteration, even in highly aqueously processed lithologies. Some lithologies exhibit the full range and can comprise nearly unaltered coarse‐grained primary components that are found directly alongside other coarse‐grained components that have experienced complete pseudomorphic replacement by secondary minerals. The preservation of the complete alteration sequence and pseudomorph textures showing tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths are replacing carbonates suggest that CMs may be initially more carbonate rich than previously thought. This heterogeneity in aqueous alteration extent is likely due to a combination of microscale variability in permeability and water/rock ratio generating local microenvironments as has been established previously. Nevertheless, some of the disequilibrium mineral assemblages observed, such as hydrous minerals juxtaposed with surviving phases that are typically more fluid susceptible, can only be reconciled by multiple generations of alteration, disruption, and reaccretion of the CM parent body at the grain scale.

AB - The Mighei‐like carbonaceous (CM) chondrites have been altered to various extents by water–rock reactions on their parent asteroid(s). This aqueous processing has destroyed much of the primary mineralogy of these meteorites, and the degree of alteration is highly heterogeneous at both the macroscale and nanoscale. Many CM meteorites are also heavily brecciated juxtaposing clasts with different alteration histories. Here we present results from the fine‐grained team consortium study of the Winchcombe meteorite, a recent CM chondrite fall that is a breccia and contains eight discrete lithologies that span a range of petrologic subtypes (CM2.0–2.6) that are suspended in a cataclastic matrix. Coordinated multitechnique, multiscale analyses of this breccia reveal substantial heterogeneity in the extent of alteration, even in highly aqueously processed lithologies. Some lithologies exhibit the full range and can comprise nearly unaltered coarse‐grained primary components that are found directly alongside other coarse‐grained components that have experienced complete pseudomorphic replacement by secondary minerals. The preservation of the complete alteration sequence and pseudomorph textures showing tochilinite–cronstedtite intergrowths are replacing carbonates suggest that CMs may be initially more carbonate rich than previously thought. This heterogeneity in aqueous alteration extent is likely due to a combination of microscale variability in permeability and water/rock ratio generating local microenvironments as has been established previously. Nevertheless, some of the disequilibrium mineral assemblages observed, such as hydrous minerals juxtaposed with surviving phases that are typically more fluid susceptible, can only be reconciled by multiple generations of alteration, disruption, and reaccretion of the CM parent body at the grain scale.

KW - meteorites

KW - breccia

KW - lithologies

U2 - 10.1111/maps.14164

DO - 10.1111/maps.14164

M3 - Article

SN - 1086-9379

VL - 59

SP - 1068

EP - 1100

JO - Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement

JF - Meteoritics and Planetary Science Supplement

IS - 5

ER -

Brecciation at the grain scale within the lithologies of the Winchcombe Mighei-like carbonaceous chondrite

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