[meteorite-list] Our next major source of meteorites?

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 11:25:44 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <697472.88944.qm_at_web30706.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Dear List Members,

Believe it or not, most Saharan meteorites are not found in the dunes. They are found in areas where other rocks are found. The nomads have already searched the accessible areas and have strayed off of the trails about as far as they can go, the limiting factor is how far from a source of water they can go. They can go much deeper into the desert than somebody with a 4 wheel drive vehicle unless a super expedition were to be put together with logistically placed supply drops. The Sahara is definitely close to being done. There will always be a few rare lucky finds to come out but only a mere fraction of what has already been produced.

I think the Mojave Desert has barely been tapped, with most hunters concentrating on dry lake beds when there are far better places to look. I just returned from a successful mini-Mojave expedition driving over 700 miles and let me tell you, the Mojave is no where near searched. To reach some places places, we had to drive over 60 miles of dirt trails just to get to them. It was worth it having discovered a new cold meteorite find and some very interesting breccias.

You know you are in the middle of nowhere when the last sign reads, "no gas for 180 miles"


Best Regards,

Adam





----- Original Message ----
From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
To: Pete Pete <rsvp321 at hotmail.com>
Cc: meteoritelist meteoritelist <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Mon, May 10, 2010 10:15:44 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Our next major source of meteorites?

Hi Pete,

Yes, that is true. Dunes "march" and they cover up exposed meteorites
and reveal meteorites that were buried. The problem is, the
meteorites are being in harvested in numbers that greatly exceed the
new fall rate. At some point, (and we are already seeing this), the
numbers of recovered meteorites are going to decline. I fear that it
won't be long before the law of diminishing returns rears it's ugly
head. If one looks around the world and tries to find a region that
duplicates the meteorite potential of the Saharan Desert, one has a
hard time finding another source to match (or come close) to the
Sahara. We have the Gobi in Mongolia and China, but don't expect the
Chinese to be as lenient as the Moroccans. The Atacama has
meteorites, but not on the same level as Morocco/Western Sahara. I
think we are lucky to be collectors during these bountiful days of the
Saharan Rush, but I really don't think there is another Morocco
waiting in the wings.

Best regards,

MikeG


On 5/10/10, Pete Pete <rsvp321 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Greetings, List,
>
>
> Doesn't the Sahara sand continually drift, thereby revealing buried
> meteorites under previously searched desert areas?
>
> Cheers,
> Pete
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------
>> Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 09:48:19 -0400
>> From: meteoritemike at gmail.com
>> To: miss_meteorite at yahoo.ca
>> CC: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Our next major source of meteorites?
>>
>> Hi Melanie and List,
>>
>> Enjoy the Saharan bounty while it lasts. There will not be another Sahara.
>>
>> Geography and politics make Morocco unique for meteorites. Once the
>> Sahara is depleted, this period of meteorite history will
>> be.......history.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> MikeG
>>
>>
>> On 5/10/10, Melanie Matthews wrote:
>>> Were abouts in the world could it be? The Atacama desert in Chile (where
>>> in
>>> some areas it never rains and hasn't rained for thousands of years)?
>>>
>>> I'm talking about when it gets to the point that so few can be found
>>> anymore
>>> the Sahara.
>>>
>>> -----------
>>> Melanie
>>> IMCA: 2975
>>> eBay: metmel2775
>>> Known on SkyRock Cafe as SpaceCollector09
>>>
>>> Unclassified meteorites are like a box of chocolates... you never know
>>> what
>>> you're gonna get!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> Visit the Archives at
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>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>> Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
>> http://www.galactic-stone.com
>> http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>> ______________________________________________
>> Visit the Archives at
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> _________________________________________________________________
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-- 
------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites
http://www.galactic-stone.com
http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
------------------------------------------------------------
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Received on Mon 10 May 2010 02:25:44 PM PDT