Aubrite basalt vitrophyres: The missing basaltic component and high-sulfur silicate melts

Both igneous and impact melt origins were considered for the ABVs. An igneous origin appears to be most consistent with: (a) ABV chemistry, petrology and texture, (b) phase equilibrium analysis of the melting and crystallization of ABV melts and (c) theoretical considerations of the melting of an E chondrite-like protolith. ABV formation can be modeled by the partial melting of an E chondrite-like protolith. The model provides a good explanation for the chemistry of ABV bulk compositions and their positions along the enstatite-forsterite reaction boundary. A partial melt origin, however, is highly inconsistent with an impact origin since impact melting in a asteroidal setting cannot produce partial melts. ABVs are good candidate materials for the “missing basaltic component” that links aubrites with their protolith material.