Numerous unpaired meteorites exposed on a deflating playa lake at Lucerne Valley, California

Out of 16 well-characterized 1 to 37 g meteorite specimens recovered from L ucerne Dry Lake (an approximately 3 x 7 km playa in the southern Mojave Des ert of California), there are 9 separate ordinary chondrite finds. The rati o of independent meteorites to total number of specimens (similar to0.6) is among the highest in the world. This is due to lack of initial deep burial of the small meteorites, significant deflation of the lake exposing falls of individual stones (or small numbers of paired meteorites), and the absen ce of a large meteorite shower in the region. Playas appear to be excellent candidates for high-yield meteorite-collecting areas.