The El Ali meteorite, a substantial 15.2-ton iron celestial body discovered in 2020 near the diminutive settlement of El Ali in Somalia, harbors at least two previously undocumented minerals: elaliite and elkinstantonite.
This sample of the El Ali meteorite contains two new minerals: elaliite and elkinstantonite. Image credit: Nick Gessler / Duke University.
“The identification of a novel mineral signifies that the prevailing geological conditions and the chemical composition of the rock deviate from previously cataloged extraterrestrial materials,” stated Professor Chris Herd from the University of Alberta.
“This is precisely what lends significance to this discovery: within this specific meteorite, there exist two minerals that have been formally recognized and are new to scientific understanding.”
These two distinct mineral species, elaliite and elkinstantonite, were identified from a fragment weighing 70 grams that was forwarded to the University of Alberta for detailed analysis. Furthermore, indications suggest that a potential third new mineral is currently under evaluation.
“Should scientists manage to acquire additional specimens from the immense meteorite, there is a distinct possibility that further novel discoveries could be made,” Professor Herd elaborated.
Professor Herd, in collaboration with his esteemed colleagues from the University of Alberta, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Caltech, has categorized the El Ali meteorite as belonging to the ‘Iron, IAB complex’ classification, a group encompassing over 350 known specimens.
“On the very first day of analysis, Dr. Andrew Locock from the University of Alberta indicated, ‘You have identified at least two new minerals within this sample.’ This was an extraordinary revelation. Typically, ascertaining the existence of a new mineral requires considerably more investigative effort,” Professor Herd remarked.
“The swiftness of this identification was facilitated by the prior synthetic creation of these two minerals, allowing for a direct comparison of the chemical makeup of the naturally occurring, newly discovered minerals with their artificially produced counterparts.”
The scientific team is presently engaged in ongoing investigations of these novel minerals to ascertain what insights they can offer regarding the environmental circumstances under which the meteorite originated.
“My specific area of expertise involves deducing the geological processes and the historical evolution of the asteroid from which this rock originated,” Professor Herd explained.
“I had not anticipated being involved in the formal description of entirely new minerals solely through the examination of a meteorite.”
“Any advancement in the discovery of new minerals holds the potential to unlock exciting novel applications in the future,” he posited.
“When a new material is identified, it invariably piques the interest of material scientists due to its prospective utility across a broad spectrum of societal applications.”
“While the ultimate disposition of the El Ali meteorite remains in question, reports indicate it has been transferred to China, presumably for a potential sale.”
“It remains to be determined whether further samples will become accessible for scientific exploration.”
The groundbreaking discoveries were publicly presented on November 21st during the Space Exploration Symposium 2022 (SES 2022), with his detailed account accessible via this link.
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Chris Herd. The El Ali Meteorite: Ancient History and New Minerals. SES 2022
