Science, Vol.271, No.5255, 1570-1573, 1996
The Majorite-Pyrope Plus Magnesiowustite Assemblage - Constraints on the History of Shock Veins in Chondrites
Shock veins in the Sixiangkou (L6) chondrite contain two high-pressure assemblages : (i) majorite-pyrope solid solution plus magnesiowustite that crystallized at high pressures and temperatures from a shock-induced silicate melt of bulk Sixiangkou composition and (ii) ringwoodite plus low-calcium majorite that were produced by solid-state transformation of olivine and low-calcium pyroxene. The morphology and chemistry of the majorite-pyrope garnet and the size of the magnesiowustite crystals indicate a longer duration at high pressure and temperature than predicted by impact scenarios. This pressure-temperature regime is constrained by the olivine-ringwoodite and orthopyroxene-majorite phase transformations, fusion of the meteorite constituents, and crystallization of majorite-pyrope solid solution plus magnesiowustite from that melt under high pressure.
Keywords:SYSTEM MG2SIO4-FE2SIO4;MODIFIED SPINEL;OLIVINE;METEORITE;PHASE;TRANSFORMATIONS;TRANSITIONS;FE)2SIO4;MG2SIO4;MANTLE