Journal of

GEOsciences

  (Formerly Journal of the Czech Geological Society)

Original Paper

Roman Skála, Jiří Frýda, Sekanina

Mineralogy of the Vicenice octahedrite

Journal of the Czech Geological Society, volume 45 (2000), issue 1-2, 175 - 192

The iron meteorite Vicenice was recovered in October 1911 E of village Vícenice. Its original dimensions were 180 x 90 x 65 mm and weight 4650 g. Based on the bandwidth of kamacite lamellae the Vicenice iron is a medium octahedrite (Om). Chemically, this meteorite belongs to IID irons. Except kamacite and taenite, the meteorite also contains schreibersite, troilite, daubreelite, chromite and an unidentified chlorine-containing iron (hydro?)oxide. Schreibersite is encountered in several forms with distinct chemistries; one of them represents a Ni-dominant phase, which has been approved recently as a new mineral - nickelphosphide. Several troilite grains are characterized by elevated contents of chromium. Optical observations indicate that several shock-induced deformations affected the meteorite in the space. Cooling rate was estimated to be in the order of 1.5-2 °C/Ma. X-ray powder diffraction proved goethite and lepidocrocite as main corrosion products in the weathering crust coating the meteorite.