Meteorite strewnfield

A meteorite strewnfield is the area where meteorites and glassy tektites from a single meteor fall are found.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. 

Formation
There are two ways for strewnfields to form:
 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.
 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.Povenmire H; Liu W. & Xianlin I. 1999. Australasian tektites found in Guangxi Province, China. 30th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston.

References

Category:Meteorites