Silicate inclusion
A silicate inclusion is a piece of stony material enclosed in the metal of an iron meteorite.
A silicate inclusion is a lump of rock trapped in an iron meteorite. These inclusions can be tiny grains or fragments many centimetres across, and they contain minerals such as olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase.
They are common in non-magmatic iron groups. IAB irons such as Campo del Cielo and Landes often contain chondrite-like silicate fragments similar to winonaites, suggesting the metal and rock mixed during impacts on a partly melted body. IIE irons, such as Weekeroo Station and Netschaëvo, contain inclusions ranging from chondritic to strongly melted, some with very old ages.
Silicate inclusions are scientifically precious, because metal alone carries few clues to the oxygen isotopes and ages of its parent body. By dating and analysing the inclusions, researchers can link iron groups to stony meteorites from the same parent, for example IIE irons to H chondrite-like material. On a slice, inclusions look like grey or green islands in the shining metal.
Related terms
Level: Expert Advanced