Sikhote-Alin meteorite

Sikhote-Alin
Thumbprinted Sikhote-Alin sample
TypeIron
Structural classificationOctahedrite, coarsest
GroupIIAB
Composition93% Fe, 5.9% Ni, 0.42% Co, 0.46% P, 0.28% S
CountryRussia
RegionSikhote-Alin Mountains, Primorsky Krai, Far Eastern Federal District
Coordinates46°09′36″N 134°39′12″E / 46.16000°N 134.65333°E / 46.16000; 134.65333[1]
Observed fallYes
Fall dateFebruary 12, 1947
TKW>23 tonnes (25 short tons)[1]
Strewn fieldYes
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In southeastern Russia, an iron meteorite fell on the Sikhote-Alin Mountains in 1947. Large iron meteorite falls have been witnessed, and fragments have been recovered, but never before in recorded history has a fall of this magnitude occurred.[2] An estimated 23 tonnes[1] of fragments survived the fiery passage through the atmosphere and reached the Earth.

  1. ^ a b c Meteoritical Bulletin Database: Sikhote-Alin. Archived from the original on 2012-01-30.
  2. ^ Norton, O. Richard (1998). Rocks From Space. Missoula, Montana: Mountain Press. p. 103. ISBN 0878423028.