The Shergotty meteorite - Magmatic and shock metamorphic features

Petrologic and chemical data on the Shergotty meteorite are presented. It is found that Shergotty formed in a diabaselike intrusion where crystallization was rather rapid but where crystal settling and accumulation could occur. Shergotty later was subjected to strong shock, causing the plagioclase to be converted to a dense plagioclase glass (maskelynite) without melting. Heating experiments carried out on individual maskelynite grains indicate that the meteorite was never heated above about 400 C following the shock.