Mokoia meteorite, Taranaki Region, North Island, New Zealand

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):	39° 38' South , 174° 24' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):	-39.63333,174.40000
Non-native locality type:	Meteorite
Meteorite Class:	CV3 chondrite meteorite
Meteoritical Society Class:	CV3
Metbull:	View entry in Meteoritical Bulletin Database
Köppen climate type:	Cfb : Temperate oceanic climate

CV3-ox Carbonaceous Chondrite, S1
4.54 kg

On 26 November 1908 a moving cloud accompanied by detonations appeared over New Zealand’s North Island. Immediately afterwards several stones were seen to fall, but only 2 were recovered (each ~2.3 kg). Mokoia is one of the larger CV (Vigarano-like) carbonaceous chondrites. CV meteorites are distinguished by large chondrules, large refractory inclusions and abundant matrix as well as by their defining elemental abundance and oxygen isotope ratios. The refractory inclusions are believed to have been among the earliest solid objects created out of the ancient Solar Nebula. Mokoia belongs to the oxidized subgroup of the CV meteorites [the subgroup also includes Allende, Grosnaja, and Kaba]. While multiple discoveries triggered by Allende’s large mass (2 tons) tend to dominate expectations of CV chondrites, small differences between the various CV meteorites are zealously pursued. Current thinking is that the mineralogy of the oxidized CV meteorites were altered — with the aid of hydrous fluids!!? — from a preexistent mineralogical assembly resembling that of the more reduced mineralogies of the more ‘Vigarano-like’ subgroup. Mokoia’s minerals and other microscopic phases provide us with another opportunity to understand how ancient processes produced our present Solar System.

Mineral List

24 valid minerals.

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

References