ANSMET (Antarctic Search for Meteorites) is a program funded by the Office of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation that looks for meteorites in the Transantarctic Mountains. This geographical area serves as a collection point for meteorites that have originally fallen on the extensive high-altitude ice fields throughout Antarctica. Such meteorites are quickly covered by subsequent snowfall and begin a centuries-long journey traveling "downhill" across the Antarctic continent while embedded in a vast sheet of flowing ice. Portions of such flowing ice can be halted by natural barriers such as the Transantarctic Mountains. Subsequent wind erosion of the motionless ice brings trapped meteorites back to the surface once more where they may be collected. This process concentrates meteorites in a few specific areas to much higher concentrations than they are normally found everywhere else. The contrast of the dark meteorites against the white snow, and lack of terrestrial rocks on the ice, makes such meteorites relatively easy to find. However, the vast majority of such ice-embedded meteorites eventually slide undiscovered into the ocean.
Strange memories of an ancient time passed through my
head.
Visions of uncharted darkness, enchanted my restless soul
The dreams began. Great watery spaces of nameless deities
Opened out before me.
I seemed to wander through their sunken cities built by
higher race.
Then the other shapes began to appear of those who had
lived since before man ever walked the earth, filling me
with nameless honor.
From the dark stars they came, the masters of infinite
knowledge
Behold the eternal dominion of the elder gods, in the
land of darkness lores
Their shadows are roaming over this fool world and as I
behold their crawling madness