Hapkeite

hapkeite

naquite

tetrataenite

linzhiite

Images

Formula: Fe₂Si
Silicide of iron
Crystal system: Isometric
Specific gravity: 6.83 calculated for the empirical formula
Hardness:
Colour: Silvery, with a slight tarnish
Environments

Meteorites

Localities

The type locality is the Dhofar 280 Lunar meteorite, Dhofar Governorate, Oman. Dhofar 280 is a lunar fragmental highland breccia meteorite found in April 2001. A regolith (an unconsolidated blanket of debris resting on top of solid rock) - breccia clast in this meteorite contains some small (10 to 20 µm) opaque minerals that consist of three distinct lunar mineral phases, namely naquite, hapkeite and linzhiite. This clast also contains numerous small (0.5-10 µm) tetrataenite metal grains.
The Fe-Si phases occur only in the lunar regolith breccia clast that has not undergone extensive high temperature metamorphism (Lunar and Planetary Science XXXIV (2003) 1818.pdf).
The hapkeite was formed by impact-induced, vapor-phase deposition under extreme reducing conditions in lunar soil. (HOM).
Hapkeite occurs as grains from 2 to 30 microns in size. Other associated minerals include ilmenite, titanium-bearing chromite, troilite and vitrified plagioclase (“maskelynite”) (Mindat).

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