Multiple Lithologies in Camel Donga 003 (CK3): Implications for the CV Parent Body

Author (Your Name)

Elana Alevy, Colby CollegeFollow

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Geology Dept.

Advisor(s)

Tasha Dunn

Second Advisor

Bill Sullivan

Third Advisor

Alan Rubin

Abstract

Carbonaceous chondrites record primitive physical and chemical conditions of the solar nebula. In addition, samples of these meteorites provide information about secondary processing due to thermal metamorphism or aqueous alteration on the meteorite’s parent asteroid. Currently, there is debate regarding the number of parent asteroids that the Vigarano-like (CV) and the Karoonda-like (CK) chondrites originate from, which can be addressed through detailed mineralogical and petrographic analysis of samples from these groups.

In this work, we analyzed a thin section of Camel Donga 003, which is currently classified as a CK3 chondrite. Using scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis, we studied the sample’s petrography and mineral chemistry to discern differences between its multiple unique lithologies and to understand its physical and chemical evolution on the parent body. We find that among three unique lithologies in the thin section, two exhibit characteristics consistent with the reduced CV chondrites, while a third lithology represents material that reached a higher metamorphic grade than is typical for CV chondrites. This suggests that the lithologies of CD 003 record a complex history involving varying metamorphic conditions, impact, and mixing on the CV parent body.

Keywords

carbonaceous chondrites, mineral chemistry, asteroid parent body, secondary alteration

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