Meteorite Erg Chech 002 – Algeria

The Erg Chech 002 meteorite was discovered in the Erg Chech region of the Sahara in Algeria. The total amount of this meteorite found is approximately 31.7 kg. This meteorite, which is classified as andesite, which comes from chondritic protoplanets that are more than 4.566 billion years old. This makes it believed to be the oldest known piece of volcanic rock discovered to date, as the Earth was not formed until 23 million years later.

Origin

Intense volcanic activity occurred on one of these protoplanets, which were composed mostly of basalt and andesite. This volcanic activity led to the formation and crystallization of lava, which formed a layer of volcanic rock on the planet's surface. After the volcanic activity ceased, part of this volcanic rock, including Erg Chech 002, separated from the parent planet. The separated material was ejected into space as a result of an impact or other dynamic processes. After a long journey through space, the Erg Chech 002 meteorite entered the Earth's atmosphere and subsequently fell to Earth.

Composition

Erg Chech 002 is characterised by crystals that contain an unusually high amount of quartz, which is extremely rare in meteorites, as quartz is usually only found in minute amounts in meteorites. This meteorite also contains crystals of pyroxene, which show up in beautiful green and translucent sections.