[meteorite-list] Strange Happenings

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 08:09:56 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <351305.13026.qm_at_web30707.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi Guido, James and List,

Yes, I was thinking it was some sort of airfield but the lack of building ruins
threw me off. I did find a ~20' crater on top of a small rise that punched
through the desert pavement and left a raised rim. Perhaps the military presence
in that area can explain this structure about two miles away from the abandoned
airfield. I did not find any shrapnel around it but some interesting rocks
were excavated. If I was a rock-hound, my backpack would have weighed over 200
pounds.


In any case, this area looks perfect for meteorite hunting at first glance but
once your boots are on the ground the story changes. There are a lot of black
magnetic rocks (magnetite) lying around everywhere mimicking meteorites while
others have heavy desert varnish. The desert pavement is very old and well
developed so I am sure there are meteorites mixed in but a metal detector would
not be of much use.


I had a great time, met some very friendly people and got some much needed
exercise. Perhaps one of these days, we will discover a cosmic landing strip
(strewn-field) with meteorites lying around everywhere. Until then, we will
continue the search and dream.


Happy Hunting,

Adam
Received on Tue 24 May 2011 11:09:56 AM PDT