next up previous contents
Next: 4) total olivine basalt Up: Estimating total olivine basalt Previous: 2) on-site subsurface olivine   Contents

3) off-site surface olivine basalt quantity

This number is very difficult to estimate, and at present it is impossible to produce a reliable estimate. We must remember, though, that a significant amount of RMT 61 and 65 is found off-site, since the rock was used for agricultural hoes which were utilized - and broken and discarded - primarily off-site. The only possibility of an estimate at the moment comes from the three sites which were surface collected and did not have a MF occupation: T-213, T-271 and T-272. Altogether at these sites I collected 6400 m$ ^{2}$. These units yielded a total of 4328.4 g of RMT 61 and 65, for a surface density of 0.67g/m$ ^{2}$, or 6.7 kg/ha.

Since the total surveyed area of the Taraco Peninsula was approximately 9875 ha, this would produce an estimate of 66162 kg of off-site surface RMT 61 and 65. However, all three of these sites are located in prime agricultural land, and near to MF settlements. Only about 25% of the surveyed area can be considered good agricultural land. I will therefore revise this estimate to 16541 kg or 16.5 metric tons of total off-site surface RMT 61 and 65. It must be remembered, however, that this estimate is extremely vague and can in no way be considered authoritative.


next up previous contents
Next: 4) total olivine basalt Up: Estimating total olivine basalt Previous: 2) on-site subsurface olivine   Contents
Matthew Bandy 2002-06-02