Collection of Yamato Meteorites, Antarctica, in December 1973

Abstract

In addition to 9 meteorites, designated as Yamato meteorites, discovered in December 1969 at the SE end of the Yamato Mountains, East Antarctica, 12 stoney meteorites were found in December 1973 in nearly the same area by the traverse glaciology party of the 14th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. Eight pieces among 12 were found at the same site as the 1969 collection and the rest were found on the SW side of the Yamato Mountains. Relatively large 4 samples, weighing between 500 and 900 grams, were designated as Yamato (j), (k), (1), and (m), among which Yamato (1) was achondrite and the rest were chondrites; other 8 samples, weighing 4 to 40 grams, were designated as Yamato (n) to (u) in alphabetical order. Geomorphological and glaciological features of the sampling sites are described, suggesting a further extensive search for more meteorites and glaciological research which may account for the concentration of the meteorites.