How can strange quark matter occur deep in the atmosphere

Motivated by some recent cosmic ray experiments, we study the properties of strange quark matter near flavour equilibrium. Using the Fermi-gas model we argue that, contrary to some claims, the geometrical radii of quark matter strangelets are not smaller than, but rather comparable to, those of ordinary nuclei. We propose, therefore, a scenario of propagation of strangelets through the atmosphere which still allows for their deep penetration.