Structure and Appearance of Chondrite Matrices
Channel: Dominik Hezel
Date: 2023-04-12

Carbonaceous chondrites have the highest matrix modal abundances, in the tens of vol%, and virtually 100 vol% in case of CI chondrites. The origin and re-processing of matrix material is still highly debated. Matrix material initially was either sub-µm tiny interstellar material of the parental cloud from which our Solar System formed. Or, matrix material condensed from an evaporated region of the protoplanetary cloud, likely close to the you Sun. Finally, matrix material could have been fine grained material from collisions and abrasion of some bigger particles. It is, at least, obvious that matrix and chondrules were incorporated together into planetesimals, from which a few million years later the planets formed. It is also clear, that the initial matrix material was aqueously and/or thermally altered on most of the meteorite parent bodies, contributing to a broad range of structure and appearances of chondrite matrices.