Ordinary chondrite, (H6; S4; W0)
Fell, 12 May 1861; 29 kg

After detonations at least 5 stones fell over a large region including ~19 kg and ~5 kg masses at Qutahar Bazar and Piprasi, respectively. The stones could be put together afterwards indicating that they had all been pieces of a single stone fragmenting high in the atmosphere. The meteorite is characterized by a mostly integrated matrix with poorly defined chondrules. Compositionally, bulk iron contents (~27.7 wt%Fe) and olivine (Fa~19) are characteristic of the H-chondrite geochemical group. Mineralogically the meteorite consists primarily of dominant olivine and orthopyroxene with minor plagioclase, troilite, and Fe-Ni metal. Accessory chromite, diopside, traces of copper, and other very minor opaques are also present. Microscopic studies reveal displaced lattice planes within the olivine and polycrystalline pyroxene, cracked plagioclase, and spinel-rich micro-veins due to strong preterrestrial shock (level S4). A cosmic ray exposure age of ~41.3 Ma has been recorded.

The H (relatively high in total iron) chondrites are the second largest group of ordinary chondrites and represent ~40% of classified witnessed falls with the H6 petrologic type representing ~25 % of the total. Butsura is the 10th largest of the 94 meteorite falls classified exactly as an 'H6' chondrite [as of April 2016]). While several specimens (~ 7kg) have been retained in Calcutta at the Geological Survey of India, the major portions of the larger Qutahar Bazar and Piprasi masses were transferred to the Natural History Museum in London where they have been kept.

Nota bene: After some redrawing of district boundaries the Bagaha and Piprasi fragment location sites are now found in the Champaran district.

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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

7 valid minerals.

Meteorite/Rock Types Recorded

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

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Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ H6 chondrite meteorite

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Chromite

Formula: Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄

References:

Bunch, T.E., Keil, Klaus, Snetsinger, K.G. (1967) Chromite composition in relation to chemistry and texture of ordinary chondrites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 31 (10). 1569-1582 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(67)90105-6

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

ⓘ Diopside

Formula: CaMgSi₂O₆

References:

Dunn, T.L. (2008) Determination of Mineral Abundances in Ordinary Chondrites Using Powder X-ray Diffraction: Applications to Parent Body Processes and Asteroid Spectroscopy. Doctoral Dissertation: Univ. Tenn., Knoxville. 161 pages.

Dunn, T.L., Cressy, G., McSween Jr, H.Y. & McCoy, T.J. (2010) Analysis of ordinary chondrites using powder X-ray diffraction: 1. Modal mineral abundances. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 45(1):123-134. (Jan 2010). (Jan 2010).

ⓘ 'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'

Description: Olivine composition (Fa19.5) and (Fa19) in Rubin,1990 and Hutchinson et al.,1981, resp.

References:

Keil, K. & Fredriksson, K. (1964) The Fe.Mg and Ca Distribution in Coexisting Olivines and Rhombic Pyroxenes of Chondrites. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres 69 (16): 3487-3515. (August 1964)

Ashworth, J.R. (1981) Fine Structure in-group chondrites: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A374 (1757): 179-194. (Feb 1981).

Rubin, Alan E. (1990) Kamacite and olivine in ordinary chondrites: Intergroup and intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 54 (5) 1217-1232 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(90)90148-e

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

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

ⓘ Isocubanite

Formula: CuFe₂S₃

References:

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

ⓘ 'Maskelynite'

References:

New York

Oakleigh

Madrid

Cape Town. 689 pages.

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

ⓘ Native Copper

Formula: Cu

References:

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

ⓘ Native Iron

Formula: Fe

References:

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

Rubin, Alan E. (1990) Kamacite and olivine in ordinary chondrites: Intergroup and intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 54 (5) 1217-1232 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(90)90148-e

ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)

References:

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

Rubin, Alan E. (1990) Kamacite and olivine in ordinary chondrites: Intergroup and intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 54 (5) 1217-1232 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(90)90148-e

ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'

Description: Orthopyroxene, Ca-poor [Fs~17]

References:

Ashworth, J.R. (1981) Fine Structure in-group chondrites: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A374 (1757): 179-194. (Feb 1981).

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

Ashworth, J.R. (1981) Fine Structure in-group chondrites: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A374 (1757): 179-194. (Feb 1981).

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

ⓘ 'Spinel Subgroup'

Formula: A²⁺D³⁺₂O₄

References:

Ashworth, J.R. (1981) Fine Structure in-group chondrites: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A374 (1757): 179-194. (Feb 1981).

ⓘ Troilite

Formula: FeS

References:

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

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Copper	1.AA.05	Cu
ⓘ	Native Iron	1.AE.05	Fe
ⓘ	var. Kamacite	1.AE.05	(Fe,Ni)
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Isocubanite	2.CB.55b	CuFe₂S₃
ⓘ	Troilite	2.CC.10	FeS
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Chromite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Cr³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Diopside	9.DA.15	CaMgSi₂O₆
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Maskelynite'	-
ⓘ	'Fayalite-Forsterite Series'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'Spinel Subgroup'	-	A²⁺D³⁺₂O₄

List of minerals for each chemical element

O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Spinel Subgroup	A²⁺D₂³⁺O₄
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
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
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃
S	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Diopside	CaMgSi₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Cr	Chromium
Cr	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Chromite	Fe²⁺Cr₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron	Fe
Fe	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃
Fe	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Fe	ⓘ Troilite	FeS
Fe	ⓘ Fayalite-Forsterite Series
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Native Iron var. Kamacite	(Fe,Ni)
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Native Copper	Cu
Cu	ⓘ Isocubanite	CuFe₂S₃

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

Eurasian Plate

Himalayan Foreland BasinForedeep Basin

Indian Plate (India Plate)Tectonic Plate

Indo-Gangetic basin
- Ganga Sub-basinBasin

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=5183

www.lpi.usra.edu (n.d.) http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/get_original_photo.php?recno=5628354

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

Ashworth, J.R. (1981) Fine Structure in-group chondrites: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. A374 (1757): 179-194. (Feb 1981).

Rubin, Alan E. (1990) Kamacite and olivine in ordinary chondrites: Intergroup and intragroup relationships. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 54 (5) 1217-1232 doi:10.1016/0016-7037(90)90148-e

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

Grady, M. M., Pratesi, G., Moggi-Cecchi, V. (2015) Atlas of Meteorites. Cambridge University Press.

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Butsura meteorite, West (Pashchim) Champaran District, Bihar, IndiaiRegional Level TypesButsura meteoriteMeteorite Fall Location West (Pashchim) Champaran DistrictDistrict BiharState IndiaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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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

Butsura meteorite, West (Pashchim) Champaran District, Bihar, India i
Regional Level Types
Butsura meteorite Meteorite Fall Location
West (Pashchim) Champaran District District
Bihar State
India Country