Pseudometeorite from Łapino (Pomerania, North Poland)

Authors

  • Marian Stępniewski Polish Geological Institute, Rakowiecka 4, PL-00-975 Warszawa
  • Jerzy Borucki Peszteńska 3 m 24, PL-03-925 Warszawa

Keywords:

Łapino, North Poland, pseudometeorite, iron silicide

Abstract

A boulder, found in a gravel pit by Łapino near Gdańsk in 1954, was noted as unusual. Among various erratics ice-derived from Scandinavia in the Quaternary, this one had an extraordinary appearance; unusually dark, heavy and strongly magnetic. An extraterrestrial origin was suggested. The border resembles an intrusive breccia with numerous periclase-bearing fragments in a magnetite-clinopyroxene-olivine matrix. A single grain with a metallic luster, a few centimetres in diameter, was identified as the iron silicide (Fe3Si). Only two natural occurrences of iron silicide have been described, both from meteorites. However, the isotopic analysis showed an absence of radiogenic nuclides (10Be, 26Al, 36Cl), and the ratio of oxygen isotopes (d17O and d18O) suggested a terrestrial origin. Thus the stone is probable artifact, presumably the product of an unidentified foundry. 

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Published

2012-11-23

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 3 (2001)

Section

Articles

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