Ordinary chondrite (H6)
Found, 1883; 290 kg

A large and weathered chondritic meteorite was found near the Estacado Quaker settlement in Hale County, Texas. The meteorite is compositionally dominated by olivine and orthopyroxene with accompanying minor albitic plagioclase, Fe-Ni metal, and troilite. Small and poorly defined chondrules are present, but sparse in this well-equilibrated stone characterized by small 'xenomorphic' aggregates (Mason and Wiik, 1963). Accessory chromite, phosphates, and opaques are also found in small or tiny quantities. Secondary phases due to terrestrial weathering include pentlandite and limonite.

Estacado is currently (2016) the 8th most massive member of the H group of ordinary chondrites (ordinary chondrites relatively low in total iron). H chondrites, the second largest group of meteorites, account for a little more than 30% of all witnessed meteorite falls. Two major portions of the meteorite (both >100 kg) were obtained by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

15 valid minerals.

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ H6 chondrite meteorite

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Chlorapatite

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl

References:

Jones, R. H. & McCubbin, F. M. (2012) Phosphate Mineralogy and the bulk chlorine/Fluorine ratio of ordinary chondrites: 43rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 2029.pdf.

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Copper

Formula: Cu

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Daubréelite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂S₄

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

van Schmus, W.R. & Koffman, D.M. (1967) Equilibration Temperatures of Iron and Magnesium in Chondritic Meteorites: Science, New Series 155 (3765): 1009-1011. (Feb 1967).

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

van Schmus, W.R. & Koffman, D.M. (1967) Equilibration Temperatures of Iron and Magnesium in Chondritic Meteorites: Science, New Series 155 (3765): 1009-1011. (Feb 1967).

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

Reisener, R.J. & Goldstein, J.I. (2003) Ordinary chondrite metallography: Part 2 Formation of zoned and unzoned metal particles in relatively unshocked H, L, and LL chondrites. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 38(11):1679-1696. (Dec 2003).

ⓘ Isocubanite

Formula: CuFe₂S₃

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ 'Limonite'

Description: Secondary weatherate (Mason, citing Ramdohr).

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

ⓘ Mackinawite

Formula: FeS

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Merrillite

Formula: Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇

References:

Crozaz, G. & 6 others (1989) Plutonium, uranium and rare earths in the phosphates of ordinary chondrites—the quest for a chronometer: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 93 (2): 157-169.

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

Description: Orthopyroxene (Fs19) - Labelled as 'bronzite' by Mason & Wiik.

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

van Schmus, W.R. & Koffman, D.M. (1967) Equilibration Temperatures of Iron and Magnesium in Chondritic Meteorites: Science, New Series 155 (3765): 1009-1011. (Feb 1967).

ⓘ Pentlandite

Formula: (Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈

Description: Secondary, terrestrial weatherate (Mason, citing Ramdohr).

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

Description: Nominal composition of An8Ab92 ignores small K-component.

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

ⓘ 'Plessite'

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Rutile

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Taenite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

ⓘ Tetrataenite

Formula: FeNi

References:

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Copper	1.AA.05	Cu
ⓘ	Iron	1.AE.05	Fe
ⓘ	var. Kamacite	1.AE.05	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Taenite	1.AE.10	(Fe,Ni)
ⓘ	Tetrataenite	1.AE.10	FeNi
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Pentlandite	2.BB.15	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
ⓘ	Isocubanite	2.CB.55b	CuFe₂S₃
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
ⓘ	Mackinawite	2.CC.25	FeS
ⓘ	Daubréelite	2.DA.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂S₄
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
ⓘ	Rutile	4.DB.05	TiO₂
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘ	Merrillite	8.AC.45	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
ⓘ	Chlorapatite	8.BN.05	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Diopside	9.DA.15	CaMgSi₂O₆
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Limonite'	-
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Plessite'	-
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-

List of minerals for each chemical element

O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Mg	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
P	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
S	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃
S	ⓘ Mackinawite	FeS
S	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Chlorapatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃Cl
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Merrillite	Ca₉NaMg(PO₄)₇
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Ti	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Cr	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Daubréelite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺S₄
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃
Fe	ⓘ Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Mackinawite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Fe	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Tetrataenite	FeNi
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Pentlandite	(Ni_xFe_y)_Σ9S₈
Ni	ⓘ Taenite	(Fe,Ni)
Ni	ⓘ Tetrataenite	FeNi
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Copper	Cu
Cu	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Mazatzal TerraneVolcanic Arc
Shawnee DomainDomain

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=10057

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/get_original_photo.php?recno=5629623

Mason, B. & Wiik, H.B. (1963) The Composition of the Richardton, Estacado, and Knyahinya Meteorites. American Museum Novitates, No.2154, New York. 18 pp. (Sept 1963).

van Schmus, W.R. & Koffman, D.M. (1967) Equilibration Temperatures of Iron and Magnesium in Chondritic Meteorites: Science, New Series 155 (3765): 1009-1011. (Feb 1967).

Ramdohr, Paul (1972) The Opaque Minerals in Stony Meteorites. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783112651025

Crozaz, G. & 6 others (1989) Plutonium, uranium and rare earths in the phosphates of ordinary chondrites—the quest for a chronometer: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 93 (2): 157-169.

Grady, Monica (2000) Catalogue of Meteorites (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php

Jones, R. H. & McCubbin, F. M. (2012) Phosphate Mineralogy and the bulk chlorine/Fluorine ratio of ordinary chondrites: 43rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 2029.pdf.

Quick NavTop Mineral List Rock Types Other Regions References

Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 5, 2026 11:54:50 Page updated: July 31, 2025 21:44:41

Go to top of page

Estacado meteorite, Hale County, Texas, USAiRegional Level TypesEstacado meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location Hale CountyCounty TexasState USACountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

Select Mineral List Type

Mineral List

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Estacado meteorite, Hale County, Texas, USA i
Regional Level Types
Estacado meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
Hale County County
Texas State
USA Country