Classification of ordinary chondrites using Mössbauer spectroscopy: Introduction of a new criterion to the 4M method

Abstract The paper presents a modified version of the 4M method, which is the latest method of classifying ordinary chondrites, based on their Mössbauer spectra measured at room temperature. The proposed changes, including the introduction of a new criterion for assessing which group (H, L, or LL) the meteorite being tested belong to, are expected to improve the plausibility of classification by the 4M method. The modification makes use of the Bayesian analysis and the maximum a posteriori probability. This modified version of the 4M method was tested by attempting to classify 20 samples of ordinary chondrites: 8 of type H, 7 of type L, and 5 of type LL. The results were compared with those obtained by the classical method of ordinary chondrite classification. The vast majority of classification tests performed using the new version of the 4M method were consistent with the classical method for group assignment, except for one L‐type sample that was classified differently. It was also shown that the introduction of a new criterion resulted in a significantly better agreement with the established classification than in the case of the level of similarity criterion used in the previous version of the 4M method.