Northwest Africa 4170 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Northwest Africa 4170
- Year Discovered: 2002
- Approximate Recovery Location: Morocco
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 349 grams
- Classification: L4
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Northwest Africa 4170 Meteorite
The Northwest Africa 4170 meteorite was discovered in 2002. It was recovered in Morocco . It has a mass of 349 grams.
Northwest Africa 4170 is considered a “Valid” meteorite. “Valid” meteorites are typical meteorites with average weathering, while “relict” meteorites are those that have been extremely altered, either due to weathering over time or human intervention.
Northwest Africa 4170’s official classification is L4. The classification “L4” refers to a type of ordinary chondrite from the L group. These meteorites are characterized as petrologic type 4, which means they contain numerous chondrules and have undergone metamorphism that altered the composition of olivine and the fine-grained matrix, but they lack primary igneous chondrule glass.
The Northwest Africa 4170 meteorite is a “Found” meteorite. Meteorites are classified as “falls” if they were observed falling and recovered, while “finds” are those discovered later, often weathered by longer exposure to Earth’s environment and without a record of being seen as they fell.
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Last Updated: 1/15/24