Cl 1 meteorite / Cl1 Carbonaceous chondrite

“Cl” stands for lvuna-type, named after the lvuna meteorite that fall in Tanzania in 1938. The 1 indicates the petrologic type, with 1 = most primitive (least altered by heat but highly altered by water)

  • Cl 1 meteorites are considered the most chemically primitive meteorites.
  • They contain up to 20% water and complex carbon compounds, making them key to understanding prebiotic chemistry.
  • Because of their fine-grained matrix and lack of chondrules, they resemble the primordial dust of the early solar nebula.

Key Characteristics

FeaturesDescription
TypeCarbonaceous chondrite (Cl group)
AlterationExtensively altered by water (aqueous alteration)
ChondrulesAbsent or extremely rare
Matrix compositionRich in clay minerals, sulfides, magnetite and organic compounds
Organic matterContains amio acids and complex organic molecules
AgeMost primitive

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