Abstract
In order to elucidate the primitive materials and evolution history of enstatite (E) chondrites, we have investigate EH3, EH4 and EL4 chondrites using optical/electron microscopes and a laser Raman microscope. Matrix and chondrule rims in an EH3 chondrite pair, Sahara 97096/97158/97121, consist of fine-grained (<20 micrometer) materials, such as enstatite, troilite, FeNi metal, SiO2 (cristobalite), graphite and niningerite. The matrix and rims show variations in sizes of their constituent minerals and in the mineralogy. A chondrule rim contacts with a FeNi metal/troilite lump containing enstatite lath. These features suggest that the Sahara EH3 chondrite could be a primitive breccia forming through re-accumulation of the fine-grained primitive materials and secondary materials that have been produced by impact shock heating prior to the final accumulation.
