ANTARCTIC METEORITE LOCATION AND MAPPING PROJECT (AMLAMP)
EXPLANATORY TEXT

The MacAlpine Hills (84º13'S 160º30'E) is located west of the Walcott Névé on the escarpment facing onto the Law Glacier. The site has become another important meteorite concentration in the vicinity of the Queen Alexandra Range-Goodwin Nunataks and Lewis Cliff meteorite stranding sites. MAC16-Figure 1 (163K JPEG) is an enlarged portion of the 1:250000 scale U.S.G.S. Buckley Island quadrangle showing the MacAlpine Hills and Lewis Cliff area. MAC16-Figure 2 (42 KB JPEG) is a vertical airphoto mosaic of the MacAlpine Hills. Ice is present around the nunataks and moraines at the south end of the escarpment. Extending even further southwest is an ice escarpment with bare ice exposed along much of its length. MAC16-Figure 3 (147 KB JPEG) is an oblique aerial view from the north.

Reconnaissance and systematic searches in the 1986-1987 and 1987-1988 seasons resulted in a total of 126 meteorite specimens being recovered. An ANSMET expedition spent nearly 4 weeks in detailed, systematic searches of the bare ice areas and moraines during the 2002-2003 season. A total of 478 meteorite specimens were recovered. Many were small specimens were found within the margins of moraines. A team returned for a few days at the end of the 2004-2005 season and attempted to complete the systematic searching of the locale. An additional 422 specimens were added to the collection.

The MacAlpine Hills contains and unusual meteorite concentration resulting from a shower of very small meteorite specimens. Most of these occur on the ice area extending southwestward from the MacAlpine Hills. These specimens are usually smaller than 2 cm and are often fully fusion crusted. Many show secondary fusion crust development and ablation flanges. Complete specimens, down to 0.1-0.2 cm are present. Hundreds have been collected and it is likely that thousands are present hidden under the firn. The ice layer that contains the specimens is probably still producing specimens at the surface. They are then blown down slope and down wind by the fierce katabatic winds, where they fetch up against the firn at the base of the slope.

MAC16-Table 1 gives a tabulation of the types of meteorites collected from MacAlpine Hills.

Acknowledgments: ANSMET field party members William Cassidy, Joan Fitzpatrick, Robert Fudali, Ralph Harvey, John Schutt, and Faith Vilas (1987-1988) conducted the initial reconnaissance searches; David Blewett, Monica Grady, Randy Korotev, Scott Sandford, and Roberta Score (1988-1989) conducted subsequent collecting activities. The 2002-2003 ANSMET team members included Carl Allen, Nancy Chabot, Dan Glavin, Dante Lauretta, Scott Messenger, Jaime Pierce, and Linda Welzenbach. Cari Corrigan, Yulia Goreva, Dave Mittlefehldt, and John Schutt conducted searches and recoveries during the 2004-2005 season.

Traverse to the MacAlpine Hills Meteorite Listing (263 KB) - Last updated 10/17/2006

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