Journal of Astrobiology & Outreach

Abstract

Surface Morphology of Meteorites in Lut Desert (Iran) Environment

Hojat Kamali and Somayeh Zahabnazouri*

It is believed that low chemical weathering in the desert has made it suitable for preservation and concentration of meteorites. The dry and warm climate causes low chemical weathering in the Lut Desert. But the effects of salt and temperature fluctuations, however, are the main culprits for physical fragmentation and reshaping the meteorites. The present study aims to illustrate surface morphology of meteorites in various erosion conditions in Lut Desert. To reach the purpose authors have studied surface morphology of the meteorite typed H5 which was fragmented by physical weathering in southwestern Lut Desert (yardangs region). Each piece of this meteor placed in different environment; Sandy land, salty land and lag gravel surface. The results show that meteorites are best preserved in sandy land and its outer crust remnant and that sandy land keeps more stable condition of humidity and temperature for protection meteorite from weathering so outer crust may keep thousands of years. But the most weathered part was exposed to salt and groundwater in salty land Meteorite on lag gavel surface are well developed under wind sculpture and show polished surface with bombardment porosity.