Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
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Figure 2.2b. ( Continued ) The 365 meteorite locations and snowmobile paths for all six seasons of ANSMET meteorite recoveries at
the Miller Range northern icefield. Base map and symbols are as described in Figure 2.2a. Systematic recovery from the region
continues to this day, primarily focused on other local icefields further to the south and smaller icefields in surrounding areas
(not shown).
The payback comes in the form of future systematic
meteorite recoveries that in many cases involve multiple
seasons and thousands of new specimens.
encouraged nor controlled, and spacing between field
party members may vary considerably as the team tries to
accommodate local topography, hazards such as cre-
vasses and moraines, and maintain continuous visual
contact. The latter is important both for safety reasons
(these are usually sites not previously visited) and to
ensure that any meteorite discoveries are quickly noted.
When a suspected meteorite is spotted, all members of
the team converge on the find. Not only can the group as
a whole establish whether or not it is a meteorite (and
participate in subsequent collection activities), but the act
of converging itself creates a locally dense search grid
that often leads to further nearby discoveries.
Priorities can change dramatically during such a search.
When a meteorite is found, the field team leaders may
choose to redirect the transect in a new direction rather
2.3.1.3. Reconnaissance searching techniques. The imposed
time limits and distinct goals of reconnaissance searching
have led to search techniques that differ from those
employed during more systematic meteorite recovery
efforts. Reconnaissance searching is designed to cover
large areas of blue ice quickly rather than to completely
examine the surface in a systematic fashion. Reconnaissance
searching typically takes the form of a loosely organized
series of transects, with experienced personnel forming
two semiparallel paths separated by several hundred
meters and the other members of the team widely spaced
between them. Overlap between searchers is neither
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