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Impact-induced sublimation drives volatile depletion in carbonaceous meteorites

Author

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  • Zheng-Yu Long

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS
    China University of Geosciences)

  • Frederic Moynier

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS)

  • Tim F. J. Bögels

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS)

  • Linru Fang

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS
    University of Copenhagen)

  • Razvan Caracas

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS
    University of Oslo
    University of Bucharest)

  • Marine Paquet

    (Université de Lorraine, CNRS, CRPG)

  • Fred Jourdan

    (Curtin University)

  • Tu-Han Luu

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS)

  • Dimitri Rigoussen

    (Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS)

  • Kun-Feng Qiu

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • Jun Deng

    (China University of Geosciences)

  • James M. D. Day

    (University of California San Diego)

Abstract

Carbonaceous chondrites are amongst the most chemically primitive solid materials in the Solar System, yet many are depleted in moderately volatile elements. Here, we report enrichments in heavier zinc isotopes in heated carbonaceous chondrites compared to the typical ranges for chondritic meteorites. Our results indicate that impact-driven thermal metamorphism under low-pressure conditions led to partial sublimation of zinc. First-principles calculations support that zinc escapes from solids in the absence of melting, consistent with shock heating and rapid outgassing. The resulting solid residue is strongly enriched in heavier Zn isotopes with minimal recondensation. These findings link extreme isotopic signatures to collisional processing, revealing that asteroid-scale impacts can drive volatile loss from undifferentiated asteroids. These carbonaceous chondrites provide the first unequivocal evidence for purely kinetic Zn isotope fractionation during volatilization. Impact-induced volatilization drives volatile depletion in asteroidal parent bodies, with implications for the delivery and distribution of volatiles in early planetary systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng-Yu Long & Frederic Moynier & Tim F. J. Bögels & Linru Fang & Razvan Caracas & Marine Paquet & Fred Jourdan & Tu-Han Luu & Dimitri Rigoussen & Kun-Feng Qiu & Jun Deng & James M. D. Day, 2025. "Impact-induced sublimation drives volatile depletion in carbonaceous meteorites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61115-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61115-3
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