Al-Haggounia 001, Enstatite Fossil Meteorite, Micromount


Al-Haggounia 001 is a meteorite that was discovered as part of a massive impact that took place before the Saharan region was a desert. Al-Haggounia is tens of thousands of years old, and was found as part of an ancient dry river bed. It is an odd meteorite that defied classification at first. It contains very little metal, and was first classified as an aubrite. Subsequent studies showed the Al-Haggounia was not an aubrite, but was a rare EL3 enstatite chondrite. Al-Haggounia 001 has a characteristic tan matrix that consists almost entirely of tiny pure enstatite crystals. There are also occasional veins, clasts and rare chondrules. Due to it's great terrestrial age, Al-Haggounia has undergone extensive weathering and is sometimes referred to as a "fossil meteorite".

Refer to the photo. Your micromount will be one piece selected from the lot shown in the photo.The black centimeter cube is shown for scale and is not included. Each micromount includes a gemjar and label.

Please note, the Meteoritical Society bulletin quoted below is erroneous - it is still listed as an aubrite in the official listing. But, the new studies have shown it to be an EL3 enstatite chondrite. Otherwise the information is correct and is provided for historical and geographical context.

From the Meteoritical Society Bulletin Entry on Al-Haggounia 001 -

Al Haggounia 001 N27°30',W12°30'

Al Haggounia, Morocco

Find: 2006

Achondrite (aubrite)





Classification: Achondrite (aubrite); extensive weathering. Similar to and likely paired with NWA 0021067273628282965.

Type specimens: A total of 50 g of sample and three polished sections are on deposit at UPVI.

Main masses: Beroud, 3886 g (26 pieces from 1185 g to 5.8 g); PThomas, 4497 g (33 pieces from 11 to 1507 g); Hmani, about 500 kg; Ouzrou, about 500 kg.