CHEMICAL AND CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CRONSTEDTITE IN THE MATRIX OF THE COCHABAMBA (CM2) CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITE

The principal mineral component in the matrix of the Cochabamba carbonaceous chondrite is a phyllosilicate, which is identified as cronstedtite mainly on the basis of its chemical composition. Its approximate idealized formula is given by M6 Fe0.73+Al0.5Si2.7O10 (OH)8 with M=Fe2+, Fe3+, and Mg in somewhat variable amounts. TEM studies reveal the presence of three polytypes, and show a high degree of stacking disorder parallel to (001) with the displacement vector ±b/3 or ±2 b {Mathematical expression}. Crumpled amorphous masses in the matrix may contain structural building blocks of phyllosilicates. They, rather than the anhydrous minerals, seem to be the most likely progenitors of cronstedtite. Some constraints on its origin are reviewed. In addition to cronstedtite, observations on some other matrix phases are also reported. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.