Magnetic Spherules from Pleistocene Sediments in Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Magnetic spherules have recently been found in Pleistocene sediments in Alberta, Canada. The spherules are composed of magnetite (FeFe2O4) and wuestite (Fe(1-x)O); some have metallic cores composed of pure alpha-Fe metal. Other metal cores contain from 0.1% to 0.88% Ni by weight. Comparison of morphology, internal structure and chemical and mineralogical compositions with those spherules of known origin suggests that the Alberta spherules are of extraterrestrial origin.
- Publication:
-
Meteoritics
- Pub Date:
- January 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.1945-5100.1994.tb00658.x
- Bibcode:
- 1994Metic..29...88B
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmochemistry;
- Iron Alloys;
- Mineral Deposits;
- Spherules;
- Alberta;
- Morphology;
- X Ray Diffraction;
- EARTH;
- SAMPLES;
- TERRESTRIAL;
- SPHERULES;
- SEDIMENTS;
- COMPOSITION;
- WUSTITE;
- MAGNETITE;
- METAL;
- CORE;
- ORIGIN;
- SOURCE;
- COMPARISON;
- MORPHOLOGY;
- NICKEL;
- SEM;
- XRD;
- CHEMISTRY;
- STRUCTURE;
- PROCEDURE;
- X-RAY METHODS;
- CONCENTRATION;
- MINERALOGY;
- ELECTRON MICROSCOPY;
- LABORATORY STUDIES;
- MICROPROBE METHODS;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Miscellaneous;
- Interplanetary Dust