Chondritic meteorites

The most primitive meteorites are aggregates consisting of a fine-grained heterogeneous matrix, in which are embedded small (generally from 0.2 to 1.0 mm) droplet-like silicate particles termed chondrules, which have given the name to this meteorite class, chondrites. The chondrules and the matrix comprise distinct and different assemblies of chemical elements, e.g. volatile-depleted chondrules coexist with a volatile-enriched matrix. Some chondrites also contain metal grains. The third component of chondrites, Ca–Al-rich inclusions, was discussed in Chapter 10.