[meteorite-list] 7 different Pampa meteorites in 33 km2

From: Matson, Robert <ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:48:12 2004
Message-ID: <AF564D2B9D91D411B9FE00508BF1C8698E56D5_at_US-Torrance.mail.saic.com>

Hi Rodrigo, Donald and list:

Both gentlemen have remarked on the concentrations of different
meteorite types in seemingly small geographic areas -- specifically
the 7 different L-chondrites at Pampa (33 km^2), and an increasing
number at Gold Basin distinct from the main L4 strewnfield (area
covered?). In dry desert locations, this is proving to be the
rule rather than the exception. Consider Lucerne Dry Lake in
California, where 17 stones represent 10 separate falls in an
area spanning only 16 km^2. There is also Roach Dry Lake in
Nevada with 4 distinct meteorites (Primm, Roach Dry Lake, Beer
Bottle Pass and Devil Peak).

There are more than a half-dozen other locations yet to be
reported in the West that all have multiple unpaired finds.
When I combine the total unique finds at all these locations
and divide by the sum of all the surface areas, I find there
is on average one meteorite per 2.3 km^2. As not all of these
areas have been searched with equal intensity, the density
will continue to rise as additional finds are made.

Cheers,
Rob
Received on Tue 16 Oct 2001 02:53:20 PM PDT