Northwest Africa 4360 Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Northwest Africa 4360
- Year Discovered: 2005
- Approximate Recovery Location: Morocco
- Precise Recovery Location:
- Mass: 308.5 grams
- Classification: R3.6
- Discovery Type: Found
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Northwest Africa 4360 Meteorite
The Northwest Africa 4360 meteorite was discovered in 2005. It was recovered in Morocco . It has a mass of 308.5 grams.
Northwest Africa 4360 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 4360’s official classification is R3.6. The classification “R3.6” refers to a type of meteorite known as an R chondrite, which is distinct from the major classes of chondrites like ordinary or carbonaceous chondrites. R chondrites have specific characteristics, including sub-solar Mg/Si and refractory/Si ratios, oxygen isotope compositions that differ from ordinary chondrites, and highly oxidized mineralogy. The “3.6” designation indicates that it is a petrologic type 3 meteorite, characterized by abundant chondrules, low degrees of aqueous alteration, and certain mineral features, with variations in subtypes from 3.00 (least metamorphosed) to 3.9 (nearly metamorphosed to type 4 levels) based on the presence of primary igneous glass in the chondrules.
The Northwest Africa 4360 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