Imilac

Imilac

3747g full slice from the main mass
Type Stony–iron
Class Pallasite
Group Main Group Pallasite (MGP)[1]
Composition 90% Fe, 9.9% Ni, 21.1 ppm Ga, 46.0 ppm Ge, 0.071 ppm Ir
Country Chile
Region Atacama Desert, Atacama Region
Coordinates 24°12′46″S 68°48′31″W / 24.21278°S 68.80861°W / -24.21278; -68.80861Coordinates: 24°12′46″S 68°48′31″W / 24.21278°S 68.80861°W / -24.21278; -68.80861[1]
Observed fall No
Found date 1822
TKW 920 kg
Strewn field Yes

Imilac is the name given to a pallasite meteorite found in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile in 1822.

Classification

Imilac is classified as a stony–iron pallasite. Imilac specimens are highly prized by meteorite collectors due to its high concentration of beautiful olivine grains.

Strewn field

Numerous masses were found in a valley to the SW of Imilac. The total weight of the Imilac fall is estimated to be around 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb). The primary strewn field is long about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi).[2]

Specimens

Individual

Due to weathering, intact olivine grains are present only on large specimens (over 1 kilogram (2.2 lb)). Smaller samples contain darker altered olivine cristals. On the market there are also a lot of very small (few grams) Imilac individuals called metal skeletons: they are severely weathered and lack olivine grains.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Meteoritical Bulletin Database: Imilac
  2. ↑ Pedersen, H., Lindgren, H., & Canut de Bon, C. Strewn-fields of Imilac and Vaca Muerta.

See also


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