by Robert Verish

The Southern African Meteorite Recovery Program

This months article is about the Southern African Meteorite Recovery Program (SAMRP) and its place in history in regards to meteorite-recovery.....

While doing a Google search on "meteorite-recovery", I discovered that there has been an M-R effort underway by a small group of Southern African astronomers since 1999!
It appears that an awareness of a need for an organized approach to meteorite-recovery in the field by utilizing the group efforts of "non-professionals" seems to have taken root in the Southern African astronomy community along about the same time period as similar efforts were producing results here in Southern California!
The founder of this group, Trevor Gould, stated that, "Following the 62^nd Meeting of the Meteoritical Society at University of the Witwatersrand in July 1999, I got to thinking about the role of amateurs and the recovery of meteorites." What resulted was his "Notes on Proposed Meteorite Recovery Program for Southern Africa", which became the start ot the SAMRP. The rest, as they say, "is history"! See for yourself in the web pages reproduced below.
[Just as an aside for historical accuracy, it may be more than coincidental that I presented a poster at this very same 62^nd Meeting of the Meteoritical Society. So, please excuse me then, if I rationalize that my unassuming poster (by a "non-professional") with images of successful meteorite recoveries at Lucerne Dry Lake, may have given others the idea that, "Hey, I can do that, too!"]
;-)
It is the hope of this article that the recounting of the successes (as well as as the shortcomings) of the formation and the evolution of the SAMRP will be instructional for other fledgling Meteorite-Recovery groups.

The following tables are various web pages of the "Southern African Meteorite Recovery Program" which have been reproduced here for readers convenience, as well as, to retain for historical purposes, its importance in the development of meteorite-recovery in Southern Africa.

As a personal preference, I find the word "non-professional" more appealing than "amateur". But this "proposal" seems to show that this group effort is off to a very good start!

It wasn't until two years later that the SAMRP conducted a survey of the Vaalputs National Nuclear Waste Disposal site about 100Km SE of Springbok in the Northern Cape. It has long been an idea of mine to have meteorite-recovery as part of any environmental impact study (EIR) - to be included with the archeological, paleontological and other surveys - especially for large tracts of barren land that will be rendered lost due to development. In this particular case, the site was barren, but it was also very sandy. Although no meteorites were recovered, their thorough report shows a great deal of effort is starting to show progressive results.

Southern African Meteorite Recovery Program P.O. Box 2552 Cramerview 2060 Amateurs in the Service of Science Phone +27 11 886 5602 Mobile +27 83 212 8945 South Africa Deo Gloria 2001.06.03 Easter 2001 Expedition Members Trevor Gould Dr Paul Buchanan John Ferraz Rob, Freda and Jane Scott Peter Baxter Lynithe du Preez Eric Brindeau Results While two potential finds were returned to the University of the Witwatersrand Geology Department for analysis, none proved to be meteorites. Acknowledgments and thanks The team wish to thank the South African Heritage Resources Agency for kindly providing a permit to collect any meteorite finds in specific areas, and especially Ms Mary Leslie. Thanks also go to the Department of Geology, University of the Witwatersrand, for general and specific assistance with the expedition and its objective. We would also like to thank Dr Paul Buchanan, a professional meteoriticist, for taking time out to come along and share his expertise with us. The staff of NECSA [Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa] are also thanked for their kind assistance, especially Dr Marco Andreoli [Pelindaba], Kobus Byleveld [Manager:Vaalputs Facility], and Rhona – who went out of her way to make our expedition one to remember, by providing a guided tour of the facility and local sights. Expedition Area The expedition search area was defined by Dr Dion Brandt to be the Vaalputs National Nuclear Waste Disposal site about 100Km SE of Springbok in the Northern Cape. A large scale satellite image was made available. This was scanned and used in situ. Site Description Vaalputs is a large site [about 20Km on the long side] area split by a public road. The area to the West of the road [Garies] moves westward into mountains and includes the accommodation facilities. 1:50000 map number is 3018 Loeriesfontein. The area to the East of the road is low lying [possible graben] in which sand has accumulated over a long period of time. Owing to strong winds the dune heights are low [about 5m], with a wavelength of about 500m. The wind ablation has scoured the place, presumably leaving any meteorites on the dune surfaces. The Waste disposal site is also here. Owing to the featureless nature of the terrain here, AEC recommend the use of a GPS.  Itinerary To be formalised! Friday 13 April 2001 The team met at Florida and drove on the standard route to Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Wolmaraanstad, Schweizer-Reineke, Vryburg, Kuruman, Upington, Pofadder, Springbok then South to Vaalputs, arriving at 18:00. Rhona from the Vaalputs staff arrived to meet us. Saturday 14 Rhona kindly provided a tour of the Vaalputs Nuclear Waste facility. We met the Dachshunds and their puppies, as well as the cat and the tame meerkat. We were shown the indigenous gardens, the pits and Rhona stopped in the road to collect a little tortoise for Jane. We performed the first meteorite search in the vicinity of the airfield, recovering one potential one [Peter Baxter – SA50, which turned out to be a concretion of some sort]. We saw leopard tracks and springbok. Rhona took us to see the museum and canyon behind the Stoflkoof camp site in the afternoon. We then did a hike which took in springbok, jackal and a quiver tree forest [kokerboom]. Some viewing was washed out by strong winds, which made the telescope unstable. Sunday 15 Rhona took us to the big kokerboom and Quoi-San paintings. Another meteorite search at Vaalputs, during which team members saw a puffadder [Peter], a hare and tortoises. A spectacular sunset was duly photographed. Later Rhona and family arrived to view the sky, but we were clouded out. Monday 16 In the morning we hunted for meteorites South of Stofkloof. Some took a different route and Paul, Lyn and I went back to find them. Saw the moon, Venus, sunspots in daylight viewing. In the pre-dawn sky saw M57. Tuesday 17 Rob, Freda and Jane left. Started out at 05:15 to watch the sun rise at the canyon. Watched steenbok, brown duiker and heard an owl. Drove to Kap-Kap in the morning, a circular structure seen on the satellite image. Hunted in the area at the back of the Garing chalets. Lyn found almandine garnet. Had dinner [a braai] at chalets. Wednesday 18 Peter, Eric and Paul left. Lyn, John and I still here. Had full breakfast at Garing after breaking camp, cooked by John and Lyn. Left on gravel road to Garies. John got stuck in sandy river bed crossing and we had to dig him out. Found a vein of haematite. Also found the Namaqualand Wollastonite Mine (PTY) at Garies. Travelled on the main road from Garies through Kamieskroon to Springbok. Camped at Namastad [R10.00/night]. It was noisy and John slept in a Nama hut. Thursday 19 Late start. Visited Carolusberg Copper Mine [not much found]; followed by Hoit’s Mine [a bunch of mines together] – nice specimens; Stayed at Springbok Caravan Park [better] . Saw dassies and birds. Friday 20 Traveled North from Springbok through Steinkopf to Port Nolloth. Saw Khoraans, Baboons and found Muscovite schist. Met up with chap who farms oysters, abalone and Knysna seahorses. John bought some oysters. John and I enjoyed fresh oysters that night. Later visited Steinkopf library where we saw their rock collection and the guy who donated them came round and sold me a quartz crystal, later taking us into the veld to collect some for ourselves. Stayed again at Springbok Caravan Park. Saturday 21 Left Springbok and arrived at Black Mountain Mine, Aggenys. Mr. Pottie Potgieter, Chief Geologist showed us maps of the different ore bodies and gave us specimens. Then to Pofadder. Upington, Prieska, Douglas. Visited the confluence of the Orange and Vaal Rivers after sunset. Camped at Kimberley Caravan Park. Sunday 22 Kimberley – Home. Saw rhinos and flamingoes. List of mineral finds [non-meteoritic] Almandine garnet schist Vaalputs Haematite Vaalputs Wollastonite Namaqualand Wollastonite Mine Quartz crystals Steinkopf Chrysocolla O’Kiep mines [Hoit’s], Carolusberg Chalcopyrite O’Kiep mines [Hoit’s], Carolusberg Bornite O’Kiep mines [Hoit’s], Carolusberg Muscovite schist Port Nolloth road Poss. Olivenite Hoit’s Mine Pyrrotite Black Mountain,Aggenys Chalcopyrite Black Mountain,Aggenys Galena Black Mountain,Aggenys Sphalerite Black Mountain,Aggenys Epidote Upington Comment This proved to be one of the nicest expeditions so far. The presence of Dr Buchanan gave us the confidence that we were looking for the right kind of material, even if we didn’t find a meteorite. The philosophy has always been to have an enriching experience first, something to remember, and not to focus exclusively and exhaustively on meteorite hunting, and the value of that approach proved itself once again.  Spring, 2001 The next expedition will take place in a dune field North of Upington, but South of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.  Dates will be announced closer to the time. Trevor Gould

Again, another thorough report showing continued progress. But the great support that this group is getting from the various local professionals, now more than ever begs the question, "Why no recovered meteorites from this part of Africa by this well-supported group, when during the same time period there are so many finds reported in the Meteoritical Bulletin (No.86) just alone from the Southwestern USA?

Southern African Meteorite Recovery Program P.O. Box 2552 Cramerview 2060 Amateurs in the Service of Science Phone +27 11 886 5602 Mobile +27 83 212 8945 South Africa Deo Gloria 2001.06.03 September 2001 Expedition Members Trevor Gould Stephan Laubscher Brian Fraser Val Fraser Results More samples were returned to the University of the Witwatersrand for analysis than on the previous expedition. Of these three proved to be worthy of further analysis and Professor Uwe Reimold and Dr Paul Buchanan called for thin sections to be made. Unfortunately, they all proved to be volcanics. Acknowledgments and thanks The team wish to thank the South African Heritage Resources Agency for kindly providing a permit to collect any meteorite finds in specific areas, and especially Ms Mary Leslie. Thanks also go to the Department of Geology, University of the Witwatersrand, for general and specific assistance with the expedition and its objective. The location was clarified by Professor Bernie Moon: our thanks go to him for taking the time to help us. We would also like to thank Stephan Laubscher, a professional geologist, for taking time out to come along and share his expertise with us. Thanks are also conveyed to the Council for Geoscience, both in Pretoria and Upington, for assistance rendered. Expedition Area The search area was defined as the set of permanent dunes North of Upington and South of the Kalahari Gemsbok Park. The intention was to find locations with minimal sand, such that inter-dune areas would be essentially desert pavement and to search the inter-dune areas. The logic of this approach was that even permanent dunes move slowly and that as they move they would absorb any meteorites and eventually deposit them on the trailing edge: i.e. the desert pavement. Site Description The inter-dune areas seen were extensively vegetated, and included thick sand cover. The dunes were vegetated to a higher degree than expected, but it would have been unlikely to find other than fresh falls on dune surfaces anyway. Therefore searches were restricted to dry pan surfaces, of which there were a number in the vicinity. The pans were of two types – the most common surface was covered in gravel and boulders related to erosion of Dwyka tillite, while less commonly we found salt encrusted surfaces with similar Dwyka tillite erosional remains. The Dwyka represents a period of continental glaciation in South Africa, and this means that the provenance of the remains was generally far distant and of widely different rock types. This provided a rich source of many different rock types, which also had the effect of reducing the signal to noise ratio hoped for: many rocks had magnetic signatures, and demonstrated expected meteoritic features. A reasonably large number showed black ‘fusion crusts’ which proved to be desert patina. One even had a radial flow pattern on one side of a rounded dark rock, which looked just like and oriented meteorite: the radial pattern resulted from radiating dolomite crstals! Another dark rock lay on the white salt surface [Norokei Pan] and showed regmaglypt features characteristic of iron meteorites: it is magnetic, heavy, but proved to be terrestrial. On one salt pan [Wit Pan] which was relatively devoid of any rocks a number of tiny greenish rocks were found in what appeared to be a strewn field pattern: they were magnetic, but proved to be weathered lavas. Expedition Diary Saturday 8 September 2001 Stephan and I left at 02:00. Travelled directly to Upington. The destination was a Bed and Breakfast about 50Km North of Upington on the road to the Kalahari Gemsbok Park. Our experience of the B’nB enables us to recommend it without hesitation: the owner provided excellent local knowledge, enables contacts to be made amongst local farmers, took us around to different places and made us feel welcome. Stephan stayed at the B ‘n B, while I camped near a pan half a kilometre away. Paul, the owner of the Kalahari Gastehuis, took us for a drive to one of his other farms past a commercial salt pan. We looked at some desert pavement areas, very complex in terms of the huge variety of rock types found, including jaspers, marble, lavas etc. The drive included a number of high speed switchbacks over the dunes, which was marvellous! We returned via the Noenieput road. Sunday 9 Searched a pan [Blou Pan] to the North of the B ‘n B all day on another neighbour’s farm. The pan was covered wall to wall with dark rocks. Later a farmer [Gysbert] and his wife arrived in their 4X4 and invited us to see their salt pan [Wit Pan]. We followed him, but the final trip to the salt pan was made on the back of the 4X4. As one travelled over seemingly endless red dunes, one suddenly came across a blindingly white pan surface stretching for kilometres in all directions. The farmer drove to the middle of the pan, dropped us off and told us he’d collect us at 17:30. The salt pan experience was wonderful: the salt crust was thin – a few millimetres- and beneath it was a fine soft sand. It was quite hot and the Sun reflected off the pure white surface: if it hadn’t been for copious quantities of sunblock we would have been pretty badly burned. On returning in the twilight we saw a spring hare, a ring tailed mongoose and a mouse. In the evening we drove into Upington for supplies. Monday 10 The Sun rose on a beautiful windless day. My tent was parked on a red sand dune under a Shepherd Tree. There was a lot of tree’d vegetation on this sand dune and below it on all sides was a dry pan. The temperature at sunrise was about 6 degrees. The thin cirrus clouds showed high wind speeds aloft. A small family of meerkats live on the dunes. We first went to the offices of the Council for Geoscience in Upington. After lunch Stephan and I searched the commercial salt pan [Norokei Pan]. On our return to the B ‘n B, Brian and Val had arrived. We had hoped to do some observing in the evening, but clouds appeared out of nowhere and put paid to that idea. Tuesday 11 A big storm swept through the area at about 02:00. I awoke at 02:00, thirsty, and spied a can of Coke that I had left in the tent and drank it. A few raindrops struck the tent, which flapped around in the wind. Gysbert took us to a distant pan [Filanders Pan] which we spent the morning searching on. In the afternoon we searched Bloupan. It was cold- of the order of 7 degrees, with a freezing wind. You could see the wind coming, accompanied by dust, and the most effective defense was to turn your back to it. On our return to the B ‘n B, we heard about New York. The world had changed. We felt very sorry for the innocent victims. Stephan expressed an observation that we were never going to find any meteorite, unless we stumble across one. He felt that our time would be better spent looking at the Namaqualand flowers, on the grounds that at least the flowers were there. This observation disappointed me and left me feeling very de-motivated, but in retrospect, our task must be done. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Wednesday 12 We travelled back into Upington and visited the Upington High School, which was reported to have a meteorite. The Headmaster told us that it had been given to the school in 1940 by a farmer, and that it had become part of the school tradition. This large rock lay next to the Headmaster’s desk on the carpet. It proved to be magnetite. The Headmaster was advised that if one finds such things, it is always best to hand them in for analysis: then only can one be sure. In the afternoon we travelled to the farm next door to the B ‘n B – a distance of about 50Kms away – to look at another reported meteorite, which also proved to be a lump of magnetite. The wind was cold and strong and blew all night. Thursday 13 The cold front continued to intensify and in the morning the temperature inside the tent was 5.7 degrees. The clouds dissipated, but not the wind. We spent the day searching on Norokei Pan and Komkom Pan. It rained during the night, but didn’t really make anything wet. Huge gusts of wind. It has been cold for almost all of our stay. Friday 14 Broke camp. Watched the sun rise over the Kalahari dunes for the last time. Went to the B ‘n B for a bath. We went via Upington to Augrabies Falls, where apart from the wonderful scenery, we watched CNN reporting on the World Trade Centre. We then travelled westwards, stopping at Aggenys, then on to Springbok, where Stephan and I camped. Brian and Val stayed at the Springbok Lodge, which has a lovely mineral collection. After booking in, we all drove to Port Nolloth and watched the Sun set over the Atlantic from the deck of a supply vessel. We all observed the green flash – the first time in my life I had seen it. Saturday 15 Broke camp, and went to Nababeep and visited the Mine Museum, which was good. The Namaqualand flowers were all around and provided a magnificent specatacle. We drove South on the main road toward Cape Town, losing Brian and Val in the process. At Vanrhynsdorp we turned off and drove over the Vanryns Pass to Calvinia, Williston, Carnarvon, Victoria West and toward Kimberley. We stopped on the side of the road for a short sleep at Heuningneskloof, a place which brought back old memories for me, then through Kimberley and back to Johannesburg. The total journey distance was in excess of 4000Kms. Comment Despite the lack of success, we built some local knowledge and experience of the art of meteorite hunting. Given one recoverable meteorite per grid 10Kms on a side, we would be within 5Km of one if we stood in the middle of the grid. This looks easy, but let’s look a little more deeply. A searcher can successfully scan 2.5m on either side and therefore searchers are spread 5m apart. On a 10Km side, there are 2000 search lines, each 10Km long. To find one recoverable meteorite, expect to walk 20 000Kms! The grid of 100 square km. is also slightly optimistic, as the Saharan experience is one meteorite per 200 square Km. Again, you assume that your under-trained searcher will recognise a meteorite after walking in the hot sun all day. I am not surprised we have found nothing as yet, but the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary. Therefore: Spring 2002 For the Spring Expedition, we’ll be returning to the Upington / Kalahari Gemsbok district. The Expedition will be paired with a Deep Sky Observing Expedition, again under the auspices of the Johannesburg Centre. Dates are: Good Friday 29 March to Sunday 7 April. Hope you join us for this exciting Kalahari Safari! Trevor Gould

Again, another thorough report. It has been very interesting reading the various assumptions that have been written in these various web pages. The above "Comments" section was very insightful. The conclusions that have been drawn - to explain the lack of finds up to now - are quite at odds to the observations made by field workers here in the Southwestern USA. In time, if these disparities continue, it may become important to reconcile these differences. There could be something of importance to be learned.

And finally, here is the latest SAMRP web page, to the best of my knowledge, but so far there has been no follow-up to the results of this proposed meteorite recovery field trip.

Southern African Meteorite Recovery Program P.O. Box 2552 Cramerview 2060 Amateurs in the Service of Science Phone +27 11 886 5602 Mobile +27 83 212 8945 South Africa Deo Gloria Post-Easter 2003 Expedition You are invited to join the post-Easter 2003 Expedition to the Kalahari semi-desert, North of Upington, to search for historic meteorite falls. Dates: Saturday 26 April to Sunday 4th May [or part thereof]. Volunteers who are prepared to assist with the search for meteorites are requested to contact the writer for further information. Those who would simply enjoy joining the expedition in order to observe from exceptionally dark skies are also welcome. Note: while it may be possible to stay at or near a Bed ‘n Breakfast establishment, it may prove necessary to camp in remote area with no access to ablution facilities. Volunteers need to be fit to walk the expected distances. No medical facilities will be available. The timing is intended to fall between the cold of winter and the heat of summer, however, the week away could well see heat, cold, wind and rain. Nights are usually cold, but clear, and telescopes for star viewing will be brought along. Note that electrical power is unlikely to be available on campsites. Roads are usually suitable for ordinary sedan vehicles: bakkies or 4X4’s, while useful, should not be necessary. For those able to come, there will be a workshop covering both procedure / logistics of the Expedition and Field Recognition of Meteorites to be held at the Observatory 18a Gill Street, Observatory, Johannesburg at 20:00 Friday 11 April 2003. We hope that some real meteorites will be available at the workshop. This workshop will also provide a sample list of things to bring, including food, water, camping equipment, medicals etc. Meteorite hunting equipment will be available. The Itinerary shown is subject to change. Itinerary for Meteorite Hunters Saturday 26 April Travel to Witsand Nature Reserve. Camp. For those who wish to stay in accommodation, please contact Witsand directly. Witsand is the home of the Roaring Sands of the Kalahari. Watch the sun set from the top of one of the dunes. Sunday 27 April Public Holiday. Nature walk. Mid-morning travel to Koppieskraal Pan, just South of the Kalahari Gemsbok Park. Camp. Observe the brilliant night skies of the Kalahari weather permitting. Monday 28 April Public Holiday. Meteorite hunting. Observe from the ultimate dark sky site. Tuesday 29 April Meteorite hunting. Observe from the ultimate dark sky site. Wednesday 30 April Meteorite hunting. Observe from the ultimate dark sky site. Thursday 1 May Public Holiday. New Moon. Meteorite hunting. Observe from the ultimate dark sky site. Friday 2 May Travel to Augrabies Falls. Camp or obtain accommodation. Some hiking in the beautiful reserve. Saturday 3 May Hiking at Augrabies Falls. Travel to Kimberley and camp at the magnificent Municipal Camp Ground in sight of the Kimberley Mine headgear. Sunday 4 May Return home Trevor Gould 083-212-8945 trevorg@transtel.co.za

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