[meteorite-list] Lost 2005 Hammer Fall - Montney - Will it ever be an offical recongized fall?

From: Chris Spratt <cspratt_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:53:43 -0700
Message-ID: <4E567E17.6000307_at_islandnet.com>

Hi Mike:

Probably not. The main mass remains in private hands, and the
Geological Survey of Canada Research section which deals with meteorites
has done little work on it. A tentative classification of H6? was given
soon after the fall. Other than that, nothing has been done.

There are 14 other "unrecognized" meteorites, (all are finds), from
Canada that have yet to be officially published. Many of the main masses of
these finds remain in private hands, thus are not readily available for
research. Many have been unofficially classified by researchers with
nothing published.

Some, like the 1972 iron find from Quebec (Chibougamau) have been
classified (in this case an IAB) but again not officially published,
although the main mass of this particular find rests in a Montreal
Museum. I have no idea why it hasn't been published after all these
years. Could be done easily if an interested researcher takes the time.
The museum may be interested in doing this themselves given the right prod.

The Lone Island Lake IAB 2005 find from Manitoba was scientifically
classified but for some reason not submitted to the MetBul by the
classifier. Well weathered fragments of this iron were legally exported
to a dealer in the US, as institutes in Canada showed little interest in
acquiring any. The same goes for the main mass of the Pinawa (Manitoba)
IAB 2004 find. Officially classified but not published in the MetBul but
available for sale with a proper export permit already available. Big
bucks for askin price but ready for cutting and distribution.

On other hand the 2009 H4 Redwater Alberta a well weathered find (TKW
230 grams), was quickly submitted to a research facility in Alberta,
classified, and published in the MetBul #98. The main mass remains with
the finder, the research facilty has a TS and the classification
specimen. I have about 0.5 grams in my private collection. So not
readily available to collectors.

The 2009 Grimsby H5 fall was quickly classified and published in the
MetBul #97. Being a well observed fall over a populated area generated a
great deal of scientific interest.

Usually falls that drop a number of specimens are quickly studied. The
Montney chondrite fall , despite being a "hammer", landed in a rather
remote farming area of British Columbia. The small main mass and
fragments (TKW 0.15 kg) didn't attract much attention from researchers
and meteorite hunters. More may be found, but as the local area weather
in winter can be dreadful, any additional specimens recovered may be
very well weathered.

So don't expect any "new" meteorites from Canada to show up in the
MetBul any time soon.

If you need more info send a PM.


Chris. Spratt
Victoria, BC
Received on Thu 25 Aug 2011 12:53:43 PM PDT