NWA 2977

NWA 2977 This meteorite is currently being classified by Dr. Ted Bunch of Northern Arizona University and Dr. Tony Irving of the University of Washington. NWA 2977 is a lunar gabbro meteorite that contains two pyroxenes, olivine, plagioclase shocked to maskelynite, K, Ba feldspar, and various Cr, Fe, Ti oxides. This cumulate lunar rock (cumulate = accumulation of crystals by gravity settling in a magma) probably originated in the lunar highlands environment as a thick lava flow or as a shallow intrusive into the highlands crust. After formation, the gabbro was moderately shocked by hypervelocity impact. LUNAR METEORITES NWA 2700, NWA 2727, AND NWA 2977: MARE BASALT/GABBRO BRECCIAS WITH AFFINITIES TO NWA 773. T. E. Bunch, J. H. Wittke, R. L. Korotev, and A. J. Irving, Dept. of Geology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, Dept. of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, Dept. of Earth & Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195