First Meteorites Found in Victoria Land, Antarctica, December 1976 and January 1977-Report of the U.S.-Japan Joint Program Titled 'Antarctic Search for Meteorites'1976-1977-

摘要

Eleven new meteorites were recovered from the bare ice surface of South Victoria Land in Antarctica, during the period from December 15,1976 to January 20,1977,by a U.S.-Japan joint party of "Antarctic Search for Meteorites". Two of the specimens were found on the Mt. Baldr Glacier of the upper Wright Valley, Dry Valleys, and nine were collected from the plateau side of Allan Nunatak 100km north of Mt. Baldr. These meteorites were named Mt. Baldr and Allan Nunatak meteorites respectively and were designated as Mt. Baldr No. 1 and No. 2,and Allan Nunatak No. 1 to No. 9 in order of discovery. They amounted to about 460kg in total weight. Allan Nunatak No. 9,407kg in weight, is the largest meteorite ever found in Antarctica. Preliminary classification revealed that one specimen is an iron meteorite, one is an achondrite and the other nine are chondrites belonging to various petrological types. Some details of the field work and collection are described, suggesting possible discovery of more meteorites in these areas.