Equilibration temperatures in enstatite chondrites

Abstract

Equilibration temperatures for enstatite chondrites are calculated using a method suggested by Larimer (1968). The temperatures range from 640 to 840 C. The method yields temperatures which, in principle, are correct on a relative scale, but the absolute error may be as large as 150 C. There is a good correlation between the calculated temperatures and petrologic type as well as other mineralogic characteristics and bulk composition. Partial pressures of sulfur and oxygen at the time of equilibration ranged from about 10 to the minus 8th to 10 to the minus 12th atm and from about 10 to the minus 28th to 10 to the minus 37th atm, respectively.