Isotopic studies of megacryometeors in western India

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, δ18O, δD, chemical composition and γ-activity were measured. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current science (Bangalore) 2013-03, Vol.104 (6), p.728-737
Main Authors: Deshpande, R. D., Maurya, A. S., Angasaria, R. C., Dave, Medha, Shukla, A. D., Bhandari, N., Gupta, S. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospherics
Comets
Contrails
Groundwater
Ice
Isotopes
Meteorites
Rain
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Sea water
Water samples
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Summary: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, δ18O, δD, chemical composition and γ-activity were measured. The range of δ18O–δD 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 γ-activity from cosmogenic radionuclides such as 26Al could be detected in the inherent dust. These studies indicate terrestrial origin of these megacryometeors.
ISSN:0011-3891