Erg Chech 002 (EC 002)        26.032°N, 1.611°W

Adrar, Algeria

Find: 2020 May

Classification: Ungrouped achondrite

History: Numerous stones containing distinctive large greenish crystals were found in May 2020 near Bir Ben Takoul, southern Algeria, within the Erg Chech sand sea. Three of these stones (weighing 1839, 467, and 207 g) were obtained by Rachid Chaoui, and two of them were subsequently purchased by Mark Lyon and one by Jason Utas. Additional stones (110, 178, 355, 360, 408, 480, 550, 587, 750, 805, 855, 1071, 1175, 1417, 1857, 2647, 3485, 3910, 4130, and 4140 g) were purchased in June and July 2020 from different Moroccan dealers by Ben Hoefnagels, Eric Twelker, Luc Labenne, Darryl Pitt, Vincent Jacques, Ziyao Wang, Marcin Cimała, Adam Aaronson, Michael Farmer and Aziz Habibi.

Physical characteristics: The stones under classification (combined weight 31.783 kg) lack fusion crust, and have an overall relatively coarse grained, tan and beige appearance with sporadic larger green, yellow-green and less commonly yellow-brown crystals (up to 9 cm by 4 cm in some specimens). Some minor reddish-brown staining is evident in the groundmass regions. This classification is based on direct analysis of samples from the 1839 g stone augmented by examination of photographs and descriptions of other stones found with them.