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Title: Thermoluminescence of shocked chondrites and regolith breccias

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5553794

The distribution of TL sensitivities for non-Antarctic L chondrites differs from that of non-Antarctic H chondrites, consistent with a greater proportion of the former class suffering post metamorphic shock. Data from TL annealing experiments and {sup 40}Ar step-wise release measurements enables the meteorites to be sorted into three post-shock temperature groups (<800 C, 800-1000C,> 1000C). The TL sensitivities of Antarctic H chondrites are typically 1/3 those of non-Antarctic H chondrites. On TL peak temperature-peak width diagram, L chondrites produce tight clusters with only partial overlap between those of Antarctic and non-Antarctic L chondrites. H chondrites from Antarctic also from tight clusters but non-Antarctic H chondrites plot in a band of increasing peak temperature and width, with no overlap between the data for Antarctic and non-Antarctic meteorites. On TL peak temperature-peak width plots for meteorites with greater regolith maturity the clast and matrix form two separate clusters, while meteorites with lower regolith maturity showed no difference in their matrix and clast data. The data are consistent with the dark matrix being comminuted clast material contaminated with another component. The Cumberland Falls inclusions produced glow curves with similar shapes to those of type 3 ordinary chondrites and very different to those of the host samples. TL sensitivities for the inclusions were in the range of type 3.4-3.6 ordinary chondrites. The TL data are consistent with the inclusions are metamorphic series of primitive ordinary chondrites. The inclusions have not been heated in excess of 800C for 100 hours since the formation of feldspar.

Research Organization:
Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville, AR (USA)
OSTI ID:
5553794
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English