[meteorite-list] Suspected Meteorite Falls in Cambodia

[drtanuki]

Dear Mark and List,
   During this season it is the dry season in that
part of Cambodia, as well as much of S.E. Asia.  The
rice crop is about ready for harvest; and therefore
the paddies would be dry.
   There is no argument for a meteorite causing a
fire.  Perhaps there is another reason for the fire
following the "fall", if indeed there was a fall. 
Slash and burn agriculture is common in this area; and
at this time of year many areas are burnt to clear the
land of trees/shrubs and harvested crops.  Also in
this area sugarcane is harvested by burning the leaves
from the cane prior to harvest.
   Peoples in this area, as well as many rural areas
of S.E. Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, etc.), are
very superstitious.  Any news of an unusual or strange
event would spread by word-of-mouth like wildfire and
could have been easily distorted before reaching the
press. 
   Wait and see if anything comes of this fall.  I
will not return to the area for another month or more,
so I cannot investigate myself.
   I hope that this answers some of your questions. 
BTW: Rainy season starts in mid-April to early May.  
Sincerely,  Dirk Ross...Tokyo


		
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