gold Vs meteorite w/GS5b

[wyndham]

I hesitate asking this question, but I believe it is valid.
Where would the GS5b place as a meteorite detector? If any of you were to look at Franconia meteorite field would you bring another detector? If you could afford one detector, would the GS5b fill the bill for both?
I have a Gold Bug 1 but have been told that the Basalt would be more than a small problem.
Thanks Wyndham

 

[Eric Foster]

Hi Wyndham,

I've no experience of meteorite hunting with a PI, so I can't really give any answers. It depends on the type of meteorite, of course. Iron/nickel ones should be detectable, but stony ones, probably not.

Eric.

 

[fredm]

wyndham;
you might want to go over to Bill Southern's Meteorite forum and ask that question...........

Fred

 

[Reg]

Hi Wyndham,

I haven't hunted the Franconia field but I have hunted the Gold Basin field about 60+ miles away and I believe the meteorites are quite similar. From what I can tell, the majority of the meteorites at Franconia are of the stony variety with a few iron ones thrown in. If I am wrong and the ones at Franconia are of the iron variety, then that is even better, but I don't think this is the case. However, from what I can see of the slices of them on a couple websites, they are Chondrites, which are the stony variety. The interior appears to have more nickel than some I have seen so they just might sound off much louder than other stony varieties.

There is a GS 5 in the area right now and if the owner checks in with me, I will ask the specific question as to how it works since he is hunting both gold and meteorites in the area.

Now, to try to answer your question, I have not used the GS 5 for meteorite hunting, but have used similar units and they work fine even when hunting the stony variety. The trick is to set the ground balance properly. If you ground balance to the ground, then, just like the VLF, some of the Basalt will sound off but will also sound off better on the stony meteorites. Unfortunately, some of the stony variety are quite close to some of the basalt in characteristics, so, if you ground balance to the basalt, the the signal from the meteorites will be weaker. Therefore, it is a matter of choice or what works best for you.

I would try to set the ground balance so the ground generates a slight positive signal initially and try that setting. The Basalt would give off stronger signals but so would the meteorites. I would initially try this technique with either the PI or the VLF and then adjust form there. If there was simply too much Basalt sounding off, I would then adjust for the typical Basalt and deal with the rest.

I suspect it will take some adjustments to find the right setup, so don't be afraid of trying different things.

Personally, I would take the Goldbug also since, in my opinion, the VLF does do a better job of detecting stony varieties. Unfortunately, they also do a better job of detecting basalt also.

As for the basalt, with a little experience, you will be able to quickly tell the difference just by looking. Since stony type come in various chemistries, it is hard to say just what to expect. Even at Gold Basin, there were at least two different types of the stony varieties, the L4 and th L5 found. I know, I found both.

BTW, if you mount a very strong magnet on a wooden stick and quickly check a suspected target, you will be able to quickly separate meteorites from the Basalt. The meteorites will stick, the Basalt will not.

I hope this helps.

Reg

 

[Reg]

Hi Wyndham,

From what I can tell from various websites, it appears the majority of the meteorites found at Franconia are the H variety of the Chondrites so they should be easier to detect than the L types. The H stands for high metal content, while L stands for for low metal content. As such, even adjusting out the basalt should yield a decent signal. However, I would still test a meteorite or two to be sure. I am sure once you get there, someone will have one available for you to test with.

Reg

 

[wyndham]

Thank to all. I was going to post at Bill S's but since I'm interested in getting a GS5 I thought this would give a bit of GS 5 flavor first. Glad to know that it is a do-able deal. Now just let the spring get here and the summer not be as hot. Asking a lot, I know... Wyndham

 

[Reg]

Hi Wyndham,

If you are planning a trip to the Franconia area near Kingman, I wouldn't wait too long. It does get hot quickly in that part of the country. I would personally go in late February or early March at the latest. This would minimize snake problems and miss the cold weather.

 

[steve herschbach]

Hi Reg,

Just an FYI. Our basalt cobbles at Moore Creek, Alaska can be picked up with a magnet. I'd never heard of this before, but some online research revealed this abstract:

 

[Reg]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the interesting info. I have never run into a piece of basalt that could be picked up with a magnet and never heard of any until now. I guess I should clarify my statement to say that I doubt little if any basalt in the area where he was referring to (Franconia strewn field) will stick to a magnet.

The fact is, a strong magnet was once one of the best means of detecting meteorites and still is a good way to verify or at least reduce the odds that a suspected rock is a meteorite. Magnetite hotrocks and similar types do stick to a magnet also, but normally do not sound off much if any on the GS 5.

Reg

 

[wyndham]

Yea, I've been at Laughlin, NV in the summer and it's a bit toasty. We're waiting on a winter storm w/ ice and fr rain tonight here but spring will get here before we know it. Thanks Wyndham
BTW I just found out that in 1930's a meteorite hit the Nat Forest near here and most has never been recovered.