Crystallization of lherzolitic shergottite Martian meteorites

Abstract

I studied mineralogy and petrology of lherzolitic shergottites and showed their crystallization history. It is most likely that all samples of this group originated from a common igneous body located near the Martian surface. Especially, RBT04262, a new sample recently discovered, contains small amounts of cumulus phases compared to previously known lherzolitic shergottites, suggesting that it was located at the upper region of the igneous body. Because of the presence of RBT04262 showing a basaltic texture, it is not appropriate to call this group as "lherzolitic".