1. Isotopic studies of megacryometeors in western India.
- Author
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Deshpande, R. D., Maurya, A. S., Angasaria, R. C., Dave, Medha, Shukla, A. D., Bhandari, N., and Gupta, S. K.
- Subjects
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BIOCHEMISTRY , *RADIOISOTOPES , *ATMOSPHERIC water vapor , *HUMIDITY , *COSMOGENIC nuclides - Abstract
Four unusually large ice-stones (megacryometeors) weighing several kilograms fell in western India during October-November 2010. Samples were retrieved from three fall events. To study the origin and formation of these megacryometeors, d 18O, d D, chemical composition and ?-activity were measured. The range of d 18O-d D is similar to the local meteoric water, suggesting origin from local atmospheric water vapour. The relative humidity at ~4 km altitude was higher during a few days before and after the fall. No ?- activity from cosmogenic radionuclides such as 26Al could be detected in the inherent dust. These studies indicate terrestrial origin of these megacryometeors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013