Early silicic magmatism on a differentiated asteroid Robert

Unlike the other terrestrial planets, Earth has a substantial silica-rich continental crust with a bulk andesitic composition. A small number of meteorites with andesitic bulk compositions have been identified that are thought to be the products of partial melting of chondritic protoliths, a mode of petrogenesis distinct from that of Earth's continental crust. Here we show, using geochemical analyses, that unlike other known andesitic meteorites, Erg Chech 002 has strongly fractionated and low abundances of the highly siderophile elements and mineralogy consistent with origin from a melt. The meteorite's bulk composition, which is similar to terrestrial andesites, cannot be explained by partial melting of basaltic lithologies and instead requires a metal-free chondritic source. We argue that Erg Chech 002 probably formed by similar to 15-25% melting of the mantle of an alkali-undepleted differentiated asteroid. Our findings suggest that extensive silicate differentiation after metal-silicate equilibration of chondritic parent bodies was already occurring within the first 2.25 million years of Solar System history and that andesitic crust formation does not necessarily require plate tectonics.

Automated summary

Using geochemical analyses, researchers have discovered a unique andesitic meteorite that has a different origin from other known andesitic meteorites, as well as Earth's continental crust. The study also suggests that this meteorite likely formed during the early history of the Solar System, with extensive andesitic magma differentiation occurring during this time, and the formation of andesitic crust not necessarily requiring plate tectonics.