The nakhlite meteorites: Augite-rich igneous rocks from Mars

Although the nakhlites are enriched in incompatible elements, their source mantle was strongly depleted. This depletion event was ancient, as the nakhlites' source mantle was fractionated while short-lived radionuclides (e.g., t1/2=9my) were still active. This differentiation event may have been core formation coupled with a magma ocean, as is inferred for the moon.