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Enstatite: disorder produced by a megabar shock event
Summary
Shocked Bamle enstatite partially transforms into disordered enstatite. Analysis revealed shocked material closely resembles disordered enstatite found in enstatite achondrites, with no single crystals observed.
Area of Science:
- Mineralogy
- Geochemistry
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Enstatite, a pyroxene mineral, is found in various meteorites.
- Shock events can alter mineral structures.
- Understanding mineral transformations provides insights into planetary processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of shock on Bamle enstatite.
- To compare shocked enstatite with naturally occurring disordered enstatite.
Main Methods:
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) using Debye-Scherrer patterns.
- Microscopic analysis of shocked mineral samples.
Main Results:
- Bamle enstatite undergoes partial transformation to a disordered structure upon shock.
- Debye-Scherrer patterns of shocked Bamle enstatite closely match those of disordered enstatite from enstatite achondrites.
- No single crystals of the disordered phase were identified.
Conclusions:
- Shock metamorphism is a significant factor in enstatite alteration.
- The findings support the terrestrial or extraterrestrial origin of disordered enstatite in meteorites.
- Further research is needed to understand the formation mechanisms of disordered enstatite single crystals.
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