Meteorite strewnfield

Example of meteorite strewnfield: distribution ellipse of Pultusk meteorite

A meteorite strewnfield is the area where meteorites and glassy tektites from a single meteor fall are found.^[1][2][3]

Formation

There are two ways for strewnfields to form:

1. Mid-air fragmentation. When a large meteor enters the atmosphere it often fragments into many pieces. This showers the material over a large oval-shaped area. The shape of this oval is caused by the flight path of the meteor. When multiple-explosions occur, the material may be found in several overlapping ovals.
2. Impact fragmentation: the fragmentation can occur on impact. In this case the strewnfield shape may be different, usually circular.

Example

• The Australasian strewnfield is the youngest and largest of the tektite strewnfields. Recent estimates suggest it may cover 10%-30% of the Earth's surface.^[4]

References

1. Faure, Gunter; Mensing, Teresa M. (2007). Introduction to Planetary Science: the geological perspective. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-4020-5544-7.
2. Gerald Joseph Home McCall (2001). Tektites in the geological record: showers of glass from the sky. Geological Society of London. p. 10. ISBN 978-1-86239-085-0.
3. French, Bevan M 1998. Traces of Catastrophe: a handbook of shock-metamorphic effects in terrestrial meteorite impact structures. LPI Contribution No. 954. Houston: Lunar and Planetary Institute. [1]
4. Povenmire H; Liu W. & Xianlin I. 1999. Australasian tektites found in Guangxi Province, China. 30th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston.