Studies on Uruq al Hadd meteorite

Uruq al Hadd (UaH02) meteorite is found in the southwest of Oman close to the border with Yemen. Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to assess the mineralogy of iron-bearing phases in this meteorite, supported by X-ray diffraction and electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA). Mössbauer spectra measured at 295 and 78 K exhibit paramagnetic doublets superimposed on magnetic sextets. The doublets are assigned to the silicate minerals olivine and pyroxene and the magnetic sextets reveal the presence of at least four magnetic phases: troilite (Fe49.2S50.8), kamacite (Fe92.2Ni7.8), taenite (FeNi), iron oxides and oxy-hydroxides. Both iron oxides and oxy-hydroxides are terrestrial alteration products. Weathering is not pervasive suggesting a relatively young terrestrial age. The mole percentages of fayalite in olivine and ferrosilite in pyroxene determined by EPMA, classifies the meteorite as an H3 chondrite of W1 weathering stage.