“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
Features | Description |
Type | Carbonaceous chondrite (Cl group) |
Alteration | Extensively altered by water (aqueous alteration) |
Chondrules | Absent or extremely rare |
Matrix composition | Rich in clay minerals, sulfides, magnetite and organic compounds |
Organic matter | Contains amio acids and complex organic molecules |
Age | Most primitive |