[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
No Subject
>As a result of the recent interest in the Gold Basin "fossil" strewn
field (Baalke, 1998) on the Mailing
List and at Tucson, this page was intended to be a travelers guide to
the Gold Basin site. But after
my return from my reconnaissance trip, I found an e-mail from Professor
David Kring requesting that
I avoid the site in order to maintain its scientific integrity. Earlier,
I had requested detailed information
from Prof Kring in an e-mail, but I went on a job-related trip before I
got his reply. After I finished
my work, I took a side trip to recon Gold Basin. While at Gold Basin, I
encountered numerous
prospectors. Not only did I run into the Desert Gold Diggers of Tucson
(prospecting for gold), but I
also encountered other clubs from Utah and Washington! All this activity
on a weekday with a
serious threat of rain. Come the weekends in May, they'll need a parking
lot and a shuttle for all the
>"prospectors".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm....The Uof A issues a press release saying they've found this huge,
ancient strewn field in the middle of prospector central, then the
finder says, "If you find anything give the info to Dr. Kring at the
UofA", then Dr. Kring says don't go there, because you might compromise
the scientific integrity of the site.
I'm a bit disconcerted. What gives? I was all primed with my GPS, 7.5'
maps, ziplock baggies and notebook to go a huntin', and I sent email to
Dr. Kring stateing just that and asking for suggestions on where to look
and for instructions on how he would like the finds documented. I did
not receive a reply.
It seems to me that the UofA is missing a great opportunity to have a
dedicated, enthusiastic bunch of people do a ton of fieldwork that would
otherwise take decades. With minimal guidance, and at no cost. I
realise I don't have much experience with documenting the fall pattern
of ancient metorite strewnfields, but I can follow directions (Eg.: Find
meteorite. Note size,location,depth,soil,etc. Put in bag. Mark bag.
Mark map(same#as bag). Repeat as necessary. Send info to UoA) and I
would think I could do as good a job as "The Desert Gold Diggers".
This is not intended as criticism toward anyone (and thanks to
bolidechaser for the informative web page), but rather is intended to
clarify this matter in the hopes that scientist and meteorite
enthusiasts can work together.
Regards,
Jim