John,
Thank you for your prompt reply and offer of assistance,
All I can say is, WOW. It is indeed a small world. I'm sorry you never had
the opportunity to view Misti and the other dormant ring volcanoes here in
Arequipa. In the early morning when the air is clear, it is truly an amazing
sight. I also hope that when you were in Cusco that you had a chance to visit
Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley. My wife and I asked the park director for
special permission to spend the night in Machu Picchu since park closes around
dusk. I made a little donation to his Annual Machu Picchu Christmas Party Fund
;) The informal system here in Peru. I love it!!
Needless to say, it was a very moving and somewhat spiritual experience. Part
of the night was spent in the arena where the Inca's sacrificed children to
their Gods. We tried to imagine what their night-time ceremonies were like.
Quite tragic.
The Incan architecture is mind-boggling in its scope and precision, and how
they have fresh flowing water on top of that mountain is still somewhat of a
mystery to me. We had Machu Picchu totally to ourselves for an entire night.
I'll never forget it. Like the night Manta dives in Kona... memories to last a
lifetime.
Whoops, digressing here. Back to the problem. I'm a layperson with no formal
training in Geology, Volcanology, or Cosmo-chemistry. I am searching for the
truth about these rocks and so far, nobody in the meteorite community can
positively identify them as meteorites. Most of them have very little field
experience and have attempted to offer opinions as to what they might be. Alot
of the responders have said desert varnish and obsidian type of rocks. Both of
these have been ruled-out by the geologists here in Peru at the National
University of San Augustin.
I'll give you a brief background. I love to collect minerals and fossils. I
was looking for nice but inexpensive piece of native Peruvian jewelry for my
wife when I noticed this very unique stone. I asked the dealer from what area
this rock came from and he told me the Aplao area. Just out of curiosity, I
asked a friend where Aplao was. He said that's where the "big meteorite" fell.
After investigated further, I found that this was not just a fall, but one of
the largest falls in recent history. It registered 4.0 Richter at multiple
seismic stations.
More of the story can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/astroycpa/meteoritoaqp2feb2004.html
After some time, people stopped looking for the crater. Since there is only
around 160 known craters I felt the information on this fresh fall could
provide the scientific community with very valuable information. To make a very
long story short, I spent months organizing expeditions into the Peruvian
desert and finally found the crater. Some geologists, who are now close
friends, have accompanied me on these expeditions. They taught me a great deal
about the desert environment.
I also found the same type of rocks in the general area of the crater as the
one I purchased in the jewelry store. During that time, I researched the
Internet on meteorites, looked at hundreds of meteorite images, consulted with
geologists and seismologists, and solicited opinions of respect people in the
meteorite community. Unfortunately, the meteorite community has a tainted eye.
Some have been very nice and offered genuine advice and opinions. Others have
ridiculed me and had me run the gauntlet. To date, nobody has yet identified
this rocks as terrestrial or non-terrestrial.
One very unusual characterize of my samples is that they are absolutely
identical to the first few images on www.venusmeteorite.com . The author of
this website claims his rocks have a Venusian origin. I don't make any claims.
I just want to find the truth.
Since, I am unable to prove my samples are meteorites, I've decided to take
the opposite approach and try to prove they're terrestrial. This is why I asked
for your help.
I hope you've had the experience of going to Green Sand Beach at South Point.
If you have then you'll remember the wind farm. I talked to the supervisor of
the wind farm one day and he told me that when digging the cables for the wind
turbines, the contractor almost went bankrupt because the lava was so extremely
hard.
Preliminary testing has shown my samples exceed 8.0 (Mohs). In your
experience, can lava exceed 8.0 (mohs) ? I know special heat treatments to
basalt can raise their hardness level. In your estimation, what kind of heat is
needed to raise the hardness of basalt. Could volcanic reheating of existing
basalt accomplish this?
I'm still in Peru, but as soon as I return to the United States, I'll send
you what I have. What would cover your total costs?
Just out of curiosity, do you live on the Big Island? I hope on the dry side!
Aloha,
Randall
John Lockwood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
HI Randall!
Small world and all that. My wife and I were in Arequipa last year (to
look at El Misti shrouded in clouds and haze unfortunately) and on way to visit
friends in Cuzco..... I've met Keith while working on the Ranch, but only
briefly.
Sure - I'd be happy to look at your sample - though I'm not an expert
on meteoritics if they turn out to be such.... If they're volcanic I can
help.....Cutting a thin section (needed thickness 40 microns) requires special
lab tools - which I do not have available - I'd need to send a thicker slice to
a thin section lab - cost $10 or so....
Enjoy Peru - a neat country!
Aloha,
Jack
At 01:33 PM 02/16/2007, you wrote:
Aloha,
Thank you for your reply and taking the time to look at my photos. I remember
Hawaii very well having spent a great deal of time on the Big Island. Most of
my in-laws live in Hawaii. Some on the Big Island (Kona area), Honolulu (Mott
Smith Dr.) and McCandless Ranch (Keith Unger). I married his sister Jenine
Unger.
Anyway, what I can tell you is that they are not obsidian related due to the
total lack of glass. Right now I am in Arequipa, Peru and as you are well
aware, is volcanically active (Ubinas) and seismically active (Of which I am
occassionally reminded) Trust me, tremblors are not fun. :(
Obsidian is relatively common and professors at the National University here in
Arequipa have examined the stone. Obsidian and desert varnish have been
ruled-out. Wind-polished lava is a distinct possibility at this time. My
understanding is wind-polishing is a removal process and would tend to smooth
out the surface.
Would it be possible to send you a sample (whole rock and cut slice) when I
return to the United States? If so, what are the requirements for a thin
section. You will be free to keep both for your collection if you desire as the
rocks are quite beautiful and unique.
Randall
John Lockwood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi!
I can't be sure from photos. I have seen wind-abraded obsidian
ventifacts in desert environments that look like this, but their compositions
would be very fifferent from any possible meteorite. They would also show
glass composition in thin section or x-ray. Pretty easy to tell difference in
a lab. They well could be meteorites - direct inspection is needed..
Aloha,
Jack
At 02:55 PM 02/15/2007, you wrote:
I found this black basaltic rock close to a documented fall in the Peruvian
desert but far from any volcanos. Could I have your opinion as to whether you
have seen this exact type of rock in any of your field expeditions?
Randall
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