[meteorite-list] Statistically Speaking

From: Ruben Garcia <mrmeteorite_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:52:03 -0700
Message-ID: <CAH3bqeLAZiNQNKN_ShjZ92E_s+ruo0P31Kqbc9syPePhx3rQtA_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi all,

So, After a few days and LOTS of email responses both on and off list
here's what I have learned.

1. Q. How many meteorites hit the ground per year?
   A. On average about 1 per square mile per thousand years. About
20,000 to 40,000 per year.

No one challenged this answer so I'm assuming I was at least
reasonably correct.

2. Q. Has anyone ever been hit by a meteorite?
   A. I only know of Ann Hodges - Sylacauga, Alabama, USA

Everyone agreed that this answer was correct but added the following.

a. Barbotan may have killed a farmer- but who really knows? After all,
1790 was a long time ago.
b. A pea sized Mbale ricocheted off of a tree and struck a boy...

3. Q. Has any animal ever been hit by a meteorite?
   A. I'm not sure... there are stories of a dog and a cow being hit...but?

Top 5 answers:
a. Park forest meteorite killed termites - while most humans thought
it was no big deal apparently the termites felt differently.
b. Valera may or may not have killed a horse.
c. New Concord may or may not have killed a horse.
d. Nakhla most likely killed nothing but still looks good on a website..: )
e. Surprisingly no one even asked about Vaca Muerta (Spanish for dead cow)

4. Q. How often does a city ending meteorite (think Canyon Diablo)
strike the earth?
   A. ?

Guesses ranged from 20,000 to 40,000 years ago to Sikhote Alin in 1947.

5. Q. Has any animal ever found a meteorite?
   A. Sorry, I just threw that one in to see if you were paying
attention....lol

6. Q. How much in weight does the earth gain per year by all the
meteorites that enter our atmosphere? Including all, from tiny grain
of sand meteorites to large bunker-busters.
   A. No clue..........

Seems like my "no clue" answer is (so far) just about as good as the others.




Rock On!

Ruben Garcia

Website: http://www.mr-meteorite.net
Articles: http://www.meteorite.com/blog/
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=meteorfright#p/u
Received on Mon 21 Nov 2011 11:52:03 PM PST