The Willowbar meteorite

Abstract

Results of microscopic and electron microprobe analyses of a meteorite which fell near Willowbar, Okla., in December 1971. Microscopic examination confirmed the differences in structure which could be seen on the cut faces. Three distinct regions could be recognized: unblackened, blackened, and black veins. Microprobe analyses of the silicate grains in the Willowbar meteorite show that it is an L chondrite. The lack of well-defined chondrules and the large size of the maskelynite grains suggests that it is a type 6 chondrite according to the classification of Van Schmus and Wood (1967). It also has large black veins of the same composition as the matrix, and thus it might best be described as a shock-brecciated L6 chondrite.