For readers who want the full picture
Detailed explanation
Enstatite chondrites formed under oxygen-poor, highly reducing conditions. This produced unusual sulphide minerals and much iron in metallic or sulphide form.
The principal EH and EL groups differ in factors including iron and metal abundance.
- Groups
- EH · EL
Related mineralogy, different history
Enstatite chondrites are primitive chondrites. Aubrites, by contrast, are igneous enstatite achondrites and record differentiated evolution.
Mineralogy under highly reducing conditions
Because little oxygen was available during formation, much iron resides in metal and sulphides rather than as oxidised iron in silicates. Unusual sulphides such as oldhamite and niningerite occur alongside enstatite.
This mineralogy makes enstatite chondrites important samples of oxygen-poor regions in the early inner Solar System. It does not make every specimen visually obvious.
EH and EL
EH denotes higher iron or metal abundance and EL lower abundance. Both families include petrologic types that describe the degree of thermal alteration.
Their isotopic composition shows interesting similarities to Earth. This does not mean they came directly from Earth or Mercury; their precise parent bodies remain under study.
Short & simple
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Rare, highly reduced chondrites with enstatite-rich mineralogy.
- Enstatite chondrites formed under oxygen-poor, highly reducing conditions. This produced unusual sulphide minerals and much iron in metallic or sulphide form.
- The principal EH and EL groups differ in factors including iron and metal abundance.
Sources & editorial note
Sources & databases
Editorially paraphrased prefill, reviewed 12 August 2026. The linked sources support further specialist verification.