IMCA Insights – November 2009
The World's Largest Meteorites
by Norbert Classen

The largest meteorites found are usually irons. This is due to the fact that iron meteorites are more stable compared to stony or stony-iron meteorites. The latter two types of meteorites often break up into many pieces upon entering the atmosphere, creating the most impressive phenomenon known as a meteorite shower. Moreover, they suffer from the effects of ablation much more than irons during their passage through the atmosphere. Finally, large iron blocks seem to be much more resistant to the severe effects of terrestrial weathering.

With an estimated mass of over 60 tons the Hoba iron is by far the largest known meteorite (as a single piece). It was found on a farm near Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia in the early 20th century, and it still resides at its find location today. It has been declared a National Monument by the Government of Southwest Africa (now Namibia) in 1955.

The Hoba Meteorite

The 60 ton plus Hoba iron meteorite at its find location in Namibia
(Photo © Gábor Ámon)

The following list shows the top twelve of the largest iron meteorites - the real giants over 10 tons. Please note that this list doesn't display the total known weight of each distinct fall, but rather the weights of the largest individuals that have been recovered from each fall.

Iron Meteorite Charts

Meteorite Find Class Weight°
Hoba Namibia, 1920 IVB 60.00
Campo del Cielo
(El Chaco)
Argentina, 1969 IAB 37.00
Cape York (Ahnighito) Greenland, 1894 IIIAB 30.87
Armanty China, 1898 IIIE 28.00
Bacubirito Mexico, 1863 UNG 22.00
Cape York (Agpalilik) Greenland, 1963 IIIAB 20.10
Mbosi Tanzania, 1930 UNG 16.00
Campo del Cielo Argentina, 2005 IIIAB 14.85
Willamette USA, 1902 IIIAB 14.14
Chupaderos I Mexico, 1852 IIIAB 14.11
Mundrabilla I Australia, 1966 IAB 12.40
Morito Mexico, 1600 IIIAB 10.10
° weight estimates given in metric tons

The largest known stony-iron meteorite is a relatively new Russian find from 2007, a huge 2.7 ton individual of the Seymchan pallasite. I had the pleasure to see this mass at the Ste. Marie aux Mines Mineral Show, Alsace, France, in 2008 - a real sight to behold.

The 2.7 ton Main Mass of the Seymchan pallasite

The 2.7 ton Main Mass of Seymchan at the Ste. Marie Show 2008
(Photo © Hanno Strufe)

The following list shows the top six of the largest stony-iron meteorites, all pallasites. Please note once more that this list doesn't display the total known weight of each distinct fall, but rather the weights of the largest individuals that have been recovered from each fall.

Stony-Iron Meteorite Charts

Meteorite Find Class Weight°
Seymchan Russia, 2007 Pallasite 2.70
Huckitta Australia, 1937 Pallasite 1.41
Fukang China, 2000 Pallasite 1.00
Esquel Argentina, 1951 Pallasite 0.75
Krasnojarsk Russia, 1749 Pallasite 0.70
Brenham USA, 2005 Pallasite 0.65
° weight estimates given in metric tons

The final list below shows the top five of the largest stony meteorites, all but one ordinary chondrites and all representing witnessed falls. Please note again that this list doesn't display the total known weight of each distinct fall, but rather the weights of the largest individuals that have been recovered from each fall.

Stony Meteorite Charts

Meteorite Fell Class Weight°
Jilin China, 1976 H5 Chondrite 1.77
Norton County USA, 1948 Aubrite 1.07
Long Island* USA, 1891 L6 Chondrite 0.56
Paragould USA, 1930 LL5 Chondrite 0.37
Bjurböle* Finland, 1899 L/LL4 Chondrite 0.33
° weight estimates given in metric tons
* these are broken individuals - not preserved

For further reference, much more information, and some great photos of the individual masses of the largest iron meteorites, see a more detailed list of the largest meteorites, compiled by IMCA Member Mike Jensen.
 

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