{"product_id":"nwa-18448-brecciated-eucrite-hed-achondrite-34-20g-full-slice","title":"NWA 18448 Brecciated Eucrite HED Achondrite, 34.20g Full Slice","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eNWA 18448, a freshly classified brecciated eucrite from Algeria\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis 34.20g full slice is cut from the 900g main mass of NWA 18448, a brecciated eucrite (HED achondrite) recovered from the Saharan region of Algeria and purchased in 2024. The specimen was scientifically classified by Jose Garcia at ADARA Petrography \u0026amp; Curation of Astromaterials in the Canary Islands and approved by the Meteoritical Society Nomenclature Committee on 10 March 2026, with publication scheduled for Meteoritical Bulletin 115. Brian McDonald (IMCA #3323) holds the main mass and authored the working designation BMD 036 during the classification process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eStructure and features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe polished face of this 34.20g full slice exposes a well-developed brecciated fabric: a fine-grained clastic matrix carrying a diverse clast population that includes dark gray to nearly black pyroxene-rich clasts, cream to yellow-tan feldspathic clasts, and composite mottled fragments. Clast sizes range from sub-millimeter grains up to several millimeters across the cut surface. Sparse FeNi metal flecks are visible across the polished face under direct light, consistent with the accessory metal phase identified in ADARA's analysis. Hairline fractures with light-colored mineral infill cross portions of the slice, reflecting the low weathering grade noted in the official classification. A portion of the original exterior is preserved along one edge, retaining a reddish-brown weathering surface. The ADARA petrography confirmed the constituent minerals as Ca-rich pyroxene, low-Ca pyroxene, plagioclase, and a silica polymorph, with accessory chromite, troilite, and FeNi metal. Mineral chemistry: low-Ca pyroxene Fs60.8±0.6Wo1.7±0.2 (FeO\/MnO 28 to 30), Ca-pyroxene Fs25.7±0.3Wo44.4±0.3 (FeO\/MnO 27 to 31), and plagioclase An83.4±1.3. The specimen carries a moderate shock stage and a magnetic susceptibility of 3.78 (log χ).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eDiscovery and provenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe 900g single stone was recovered from Algeria and entered the meteorite trade in 2024 through a dealer in Africa. Brian McDonald acquired the main mass and submitted the material to Jose Garcia at ADARA Petrography \u0026amp; Curation of Astromaterials (Calle Dr. Joaquín Artiles, 36, AP 3. Agüimes, 35260, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain) for petrographic and geochemical analysis. The 20.88g type specimen is deposited at the Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología (MUNA) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The Meteoritical Society approved the official name \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=86559\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eNorthwest Africa 18448\u003c\/a\u003e on 10 March 2026, with the full writeup scheduled for Meteoritical Bulletin 115.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eScientific context\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEucrites are basaltic igneous rocks that crystallized in the upper crust of a differentiated asteroid parent body. Spectroscopic and isotopic evidence links the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hed-meteorites\"\u003eHED achondrite clan\u003c\/a\u003e (howardites, eucrites, and diogenites) to asteroid 4 Vesta, the second-largest body in the main asteroid belt. Brecciated eucrites such as NWA 18448 preserve a record of impact processing on that parent body: an original basaltic lithology was fragmented by surface impacts, then lithified into a coherent rock by subsequent shock and burial. The mineral chemistry reported by ADARA falls within established compositional ranges for eucritic basalts, and the clastic matrix with mineral and lithic clasts is consistent with surface-derived regolith or fragmental breccia formation on the parent body. As of the Meteoritical Society's most recent count, NWA 18448 is 1 of 273 approved brecciated eucrites. For background on meteorite classification and parent bodies, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/learn-about-meteorites\"\u003eLearn About Meteorites\u003c\/a\u003e hub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a brecciated eucrite?\u003c\/strong\u003e A brecciated eucrite is a basaltic meteorite from a differentiated asteroid whose original igneous fabric was fragmented by impacts on the parent body and then re-cemented into a coherent rock. NWA 18448 displays this clast-in-matrix texture throughout the slice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere did NWA 18448 come from?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 900g single stone was found in Algeria and purchased in 2024 from a meteorite dealer in Africa. The HED parent body is widely accepted to be asteroid 4 Vesta in the main belt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho performed the classification?\u003c\/strong\u003e The petrographic and geochemical analysis was performed by Jose Garcia at ADARA Petrography \u0026amp; Curation of Astromaterials in the Canary Islands, Spain. The 20.88g type specimen is deposited at the Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología (MUNA) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this specimen officially recognized?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. NWA 18448 was approved by the Meteoritical Society Nomenclature Committee on 10 March 2026 and is published in Meteoritical Bulletin 115. The full entry is searchable in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=86559\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMeteoritical Bulletin Database\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"full slice\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e A full slice is a complete cross-sectional cut taken from one face of the parent stone through to the other, exposing the entire interior fabric in a single continuous plane. It differs from an end cut or a partial slice, both of which preserve less of the cross section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eCollector significance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHED achondrites occupy a central position in serious meteorite collections because they sample the crust of an identified asteroid parent body. A full slice of a recently classified brecciated eucrite gives the collector both a study-grade specimen and a documented entry in the published Meteoritical Bulletin record. The 34.20g weight places NWA 18448 in a display-friendly range suited to both private collections and educational reference. Every specimen ships with IMCA #3323 dealer documentation. The full classification entry for NWA 18448, including geochemistry, petrography, and type specimen deposition, is available at the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.lpi.usra.edu\/meteor\/metbull.cfm?code=86559\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMeteoritical Bulletin Database\u003c\/a\u003e (code 86559). Browse related material in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/eucrites\"\u003eEucrites\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hed-meteorites\"\u003eHED Meteorites\u003c\/a\u003e collections.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45434389626927,"sku":"NWA18448-34.20G-FS","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/9724\/9839\/files\/nwa-18448-brecciated-eucrite-34-20g-white-background.jpg?v=1780807541","url":"https:\/\/www.tcmeteorites.com\/products\/nwa-18448-brecciated-eucrite-hed-achondrite-34-20g-full-slice","provider":"Treasure Coast Meteorite Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}