Olivenza

The Olivenza meteorite is classified as an LL5 ordinary chondrite, a type characterized by its low total iron content and highly equilibrated silicate minerals. The "LL" designation specifically indicates it has the lowest iron content among the ordinary chondrite groups, making it chemically distinct from other common chondrite types.

The Olivenza meteorite fell in 1924 in the Extremadura region of southwestern Spain. The town of Olivenza, located in the province of Badajoz, gives the meteorite its name. As an observed fall with documented recovery, it is particularly valuable for scientific study.

As an observed fall with well-documented recovery, the Olivenza meteorite is among the more historically significant meteorite specimens from the Iberian Peninsula. Observed falls are especially valuable to scientists because the specimens are recovered quickly and are less affected by terrestrial weathering than meteorites found long after they land.

The "LL" in the classification stands for "low iron, low metal," indicating that this chondrite contains less metallic iron than most ordinary chondrites. The "5" denotes a petrologic type that has experienced significant thermal metamorphism, meaning its original minerals have been altered and equilibrated by heat on its parent body.