stony-irons

Stony-iron meteorites are divided into two semi-related groups: mesosiderites and pallasites.

Mesosiderites are a somewhat enigmatic group of generally metal-rich meteorites that have an origin that is hotly debated to this very day.  Considered to be a mix of surface, mantle, and core material from a differentiated parent body, isotopic studies have shown that mesosiderites have affinities with IIIAB irons, main group pallasites, and HEDs (and thus 4 Vesta?).  What seems certain is that mesosiderites have ties to at least some basaltic achondrites (Dho 007 and a few others), although their relationship is not well-resolved.

New Oxygen Isotope Evidence for The Origin of Mesosiderites and Main Group Pallasites

Systematics and Evaluation of Meteorite Classification

Pallasites come from deep within the mantles of differentiated bodies with iron-nickel cores — perhaps even from the core-mantle boundary, itself.  They are comprised of varying amounts of Fe-Ni and olivine crystals.  Olivine and pyroxene are found deep within differentiated bodies (including the Earth) because they are more dense than most other common minerals.  These dense minerals sink to form much of the mantles of these bodies (even Earth’s), even though they are not too commonly seen at the surface.

Approaching the core-mantle boundary, these dense minerals (primarily olivine, in pallasites) become mixed with metallic iron from the outer core, resulting in the spectacular melange you see below.

 

I’ll add links to more papers and figures when possible.