Mbozi meteorite

Mbozi

Main mass near Mbeya, Tanzania
Type Iron
Group Ungrouped[1]
Composition Meteoric iron (8 % Ni), Silicate inclusions
Country Tanzania
Region Mbeya
Coordinates 9°07′S 33°04′E / 9.117°S 33.067°E / -9.117; 33.067Coordinates: 9°07′S 33°04′E / 9.117°S 33.067°E / -9.117; 33.067[1]
Observed fall No
Found date 1930
TKW 16 metric tons (16 long tons; 18 short tons)[1]
Alternative names Kimwondo (local name), Mbosi (alternative spelling)
Mbozi Meteorite, Tanzania

Mbozi is an ungrouped iron meteorite found in Tanzania. It is one of the world's largest meteorites, variously estimated as the fourth largest to the eighth largest, it is located near the city of Mbeya in Tanzania's southern highlands. The meteorite is 3 metres (9.8 ft) long, 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) high, and weighs an estimated 16 metric tons (16 long tons; 18 short tons).[1]

Discovery and naming

Mbozi has been long known to locals, who call it kimondo, yet became known to outsiders only in the 1930s. It is named after Mbozi District, in Mbeya (Tanzania). When it was discovered by scientists in 1930 it didn't have a crater.[2]

Mineralogy

Mbozi consists of meteoric iron with small silicate inclusions. The meteoric iron has a nickel concentration of 8 % and shows Widmanstätten pattern. The Germanium-Gallium ratio is larger than 10, which can also be seen in meteorites of the IIF iron meteorite group and the Eagle station pallasites.[3]

The silicate inclusions have a core and mantle structure in thin section. The mantle is made from glass, that partially devitrified into pyroxene and plagioclase. The core consists of quartz.[3]

Classification

Currently classified as an ungrouped Iron meteorite Mbozi shows similarities with IIF iron meteorites, the Eagle station pallasites and a few other ungrouped iron meteorite (e.g. Bocaiuva meteorite).[1][3]

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mbozi meteorite.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mbosi". Meteoritical Society. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Seven Most Massive Single Meteorite Fragments on Earth
  3. 1 2 3 OLSEN, Edward J.; CLAYTON, Robert N.; MAYEDA, Toshiko K.; DAVIS, Andrew M.; CLARKE, Roy S.; WASSON, John T. (1 September 1996). "Mbosi: An anomalous iron with unique silicate inclusions". Meteoritics & Planetary Science 31 (5): 633–639. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.1996.tb02036.x.
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