[meteorite-list] Dry Lake Strewnfields

From: j.divelbiss_at_att.net <j.divelbiss_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:17:49 2004
Message-ID: <121720030345.13853.9c0_at_att.net>

Rob and Bob,

Thank you for responding to my inquiry. Both of your answers fit right into
my thinking...I believe your field experiences are invaluable to this line of
questioning. I'm sure many of those who have hunted deserts and dry lakes
around the world can also relate, and possibly add more.

My challenge to the use of the word "strewnfield" for the new finds by the
Hupe group is only questioning the dry lake cycles and effects on rock
movements, and how that relates to saying a strewnfield has been identified.
I think their discoveries are fantastic, and they should be congratulated for
getting out there and doing it. I would love to go look myself one day.

Humbly (for real this time),

John

 
> Hi John,
>
> You asked:
>
> > Questions/observations in regards to desert strewnfields.
>
> > 1. Obvious groupings of fallen masses would make the likelihood of
> > the area being a meteorite strewnfield. Do multiple finds in desert
> > locale usually get described as a strewnfield?
>
> That depends on the nature of the surface on which the finds
> are made, and the quantity of finds. If open desert, I would be generally
> inclined to expect that proximate finds with similar
> exteriors would be paired. Whether one ultimately referred to
> the finds collectively as a "strewnfield" would hinge on how many
> individuals were found, and whether their find locations were
> non-random (e.g. elliptical shape, or at least an axis of symmetry
> indicating the flight line). 4 finds: no. 40 finds: yes. The
> dividing line is somewhere in between, and more a question of
> semantics.
>
> > 2. Does the fact that many rocks get moved around in these
> > environments take the strewnfield idea down a notch with rocks
> > being scattered?...or does their proximity within the bounds
> > of normal surface movements qualify them to be still within
> > the original strewnfield?
>
> The mobility of meteorites under various circumstances (natural
> or otherwise) will over time alter both the absolute and relative
> positions of each find. Since the (generally elliptical) pattern
> is a necessary part of the accepted definition, I feel that once
> the pattern has been significantly altered it deserves a
> different term. I use the term "recovery field" whenever dealing
> with multiple paired finds on or around desert playas.
>
> Cheers,
> Rob
>
>
>
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Received on Tue 16 Dec 2003 10:45:13 PM PST