Our sampling of meteorites is strange and not statistically representative, because of the ways in which they are most frequently found. Numerous metallic meteorites are found with
metal detectors by collectors, while the more common stony meteorites are remarkably difficult to distinguish from ordinary
rocks without training.
Numerous meteorites of scientific interest are found in Antarctica, for several reasons:
- Ice flow concentrates the meteorites over millions of years in locations where ice melts or sublimates
- Biological contamination of the meteorites and chemical weathering are both minimized
- Less distinctive types of meteorites can easily be found, such as Martian and lunar meteorites.
The National Science Foundation funds an annual expedition to Antarctica for meteorite collection, basically a batch of graduate students that cruise around on snowmobiles looking for anything that isn't white.
(Suggestions/insults very welcome. My very first post ever, somewhat tentative, and largely experimental.)