Primary and Secondary Structures - Meteorites
New England Meteoritical Services
 

Flow lines
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Meteorite: Antarctica, chondrite, unclassified.
Meteorite: Bilanga, achondrite, diogenite.
 
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Figure 1.. Scale bar 7 mm.
Meteorite: Antarctica, chondrite, unclassified.
Flow lines, fold-over lip, oriented.
 
 

 
Meteoroids move through Earth's atmosphere at astonishing speeds, typically ranging from 11 km/s to 72 km/s (roughly 25,000 mph to 160,000 mph). Their exact velocity hinges on factors like size, composition, and entry angle.

The temperatures at which fusion crusts develop vary, generally falling between 1,300°C and 1,600°C, depending on the meteoroid's speed, makeup, and dimensions.

As a meteoroid rockets through the atmosphere, friction heats its surface, causing it to melt. This liquefied material can stream across the surface, forming thin, streaky patterns called flow lines.

These lines typically appear on the fusion crust-the thin, glassy coating that emerges as the molten layer cools and hardens.

Flow lines are especially prominent on oriented meteorites, which hold a steady position during their fall. This stability lets the molten material flow consistently in one direction, etching more defined streaks.

 
 
 

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Figure 2. Scale bar 4 mm.
Meteorite: Antarctica, chondrite, unclassified.
Flow lines, oriented.
 
 

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Figure 3. Scale bar 20 mm.
Meteorite: Bilanga, achondrite, diogenite.
Flow lines, oriented.
 
 

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Figure 4. Scale bar 8 mm.
Meteorite: Bilanga, achondrite, diogenite.
Flow lines, oriented.
 
 

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Figure 5. Scale bar 8 mm.
Meteorite: Bilanga, achondrite, diogenite.
Flow lines, oriented.
 
 
Listing of Structures