Stony Meteorite (Chondrite L6)
Image: <div class="fn value"> <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a></div> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameStony Meteorite (Chondrite L6)
Chemical FormulaPrimarily silicates ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4, (Mg,Fe)SiO3), with nickel-iron metal (Fe,Ni) and troilite (FeS)
Mohs Hardness5
Streak Colorlight gray to brownish-gray
CleavageNone (as a rock)
Fractureuneven to sub-conchoidal
Specific Gravity3.4
Colorsdark reddish-brown, black, light gray, tan
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityPhnom Penh, Cambodia
Mineral GroupRock (Chondrite, a type of stony meteorite); primarily composed of silicate minerals
Usesscientific research, education, collector's specimens
Associated Mineralsolivine, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, kamacite, taenite, troilite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen displays a dark, weathered fusion crust on one side, contrasting with a lighter, granular interior that reveals a stony texture with small, darker flecks. Two views of the same specimen are shown.
Geological Context
Chondrites are primitive meteorites formed from the accretion of dust and small particles in the early solar system, representing undifferentiated material from an asteroid parent body. L6 chondrites have undergone significant thermal metamorphism on their parent body.
