Largest Meteorites in the World

Weight in metric tons

The following is a list of the largest meteorites in the world. You will note this list changes the order that you will find on other web sites. I believe that this is a more accurate listing due to the amount of research I have put into determining the mass of each meteorite. You will also note that the weights are listed in metric tons. One of the most common errors is mixing both metric and English units on other lists. updated 09/05/07

1. Hoba, Namibia, 60.0 t Found 1920 IVB Ataxite
Most references I found state it as 60 t[metric] Norton (1998) p. 53.  Occasionally it is listed as 66 tons. This probably refers to its long ton weight.  Photo1, Photo2   CURRENT LOCATION: Find Site
2. Campo del Cielo (El Chaco), Chaco, Argentina, 37 t Found 1969 IAB-MG, Coarse Octahedrite
The "famous Haag" meteorite. Listed by Norton (1998) as 37 t., p. 297 with picture on p. 298. This 1996 article in Meteoritics lists it as 33.4 t[metric] 1996M&PS...31..433C Page 1. Nice images of my friend Tim Heitz "on" the meteorite.  Photo1, Photo2 CURRENT LOCATION: near find site
3. Cape York (Ahnighito)West Greenland, Greenland, 30.875 t Found 1894 IIIAB, Medium octahedrite
Listed by Heide (1995), p. 105 as 30.875 t[metric]. AMNH Link photo, AMNH Link photo 2  CURRENT LOCATION: American Museum of Natural History, New York City, USA
4. Armanty, Xinjiang, China, 28.0 t Found 1898 IIIE, Medium Octahedrite
According to this article in the Meteoritics the mass weighs 28 t[metric]. That would make it the 4th largest meteorite. Picture and article 1988Metic..23..365W Page 1.   Photos courtesy Dirk Ross (C)2004-2006 (All Rights Reserved) [Coming soon]  Photo courtesy Tony Martin Photo1 CURRENT LOCATION: Xinjiang Geology and Mineral Museum, No. 24-1 North Friendship Street, Urumqi City, Xinjiang, Peoples Republic of China    
5. Bacubirito, Sinaloa, México, 22.0 t Found 1863 IRUNGR, Finest Octahedrite
Heide (1995) lists as approx. 22 t{metric}, p. 103, photo in Merrill (1934) plate 15. Photo1, P2,  P3, P4     CURRENT LOCATION: Centro de Ciencias, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
6. Cape York (Agpalilik), West Greenland, Greenland, 20.1 t Found 1963 IIIAB, Medium octahedrite
Buchwald (1976) lists as 20.1 t[metric], p. 24, picture in Heide (1995), p. 105.  Geological Museum Photo, P2, CURRENT LOCATION: Geological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
7. Mbosi, Rungwe, Tanzania, 16.0 t Found 1930 IRUNGR, Medium octahedrite
This article confirms the size as 16 t) 1996M&PS...31..633O Page 1.  Photo 1   Photo 2 CURRENT LOCATION: Find Site
8. Campo del Cielo, Chaco, Argentina, 14.850 t Found 2005 IAB-MG, Coarse Octahedrite
This large beauty was recently discovered by William Cassidy. According to this article it was weighed then returned to the find site. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2006/pdf/1102.pdf That makes 3 of the top 13 meteorites from the CdC field. Photo1  CURRENT LOCATION: near find site
9.  Willamette, Clackamas Co. OR, USA, 14.140 t Found 1902 IIIAB, Medium octahedrite
According to Merrill 1934, p. 56 the total weight is 14,140 kg. This agrees closely with Reeds 1937 of 14,125 kg. Since Reeds 1937 is an inventory of the AMNH collection it would not include any pieces that were traded or any cutting losses. The weight therefore should be listed as 14.140 t{metric}. Photos Photo 1,  P2  CURRENT LOCATION: Rose Center for Earth and Space, American Museum of Natural History, New York City
10. Chupaderos I, Chihuahua, México, 14.114 t Found 1852 IIIAB, Medium octahedrite
BM Catalogue lists weight as 14.114t{metric}.   Photo 1, P2, P3   Photos courtesy of Fernando Salinas,  CURRENT LOCATION: México City, Palacio de Mineria (Minery Palace) Check out this 360 degree view of the palace and its meteorites. Way cool 360 view
11. Mundrabilla I, Western Australia, Australia, 12.4 t Found 1966 IAB-ungr, Medium octahedrite
Reweighed by the Westenrn Australia Museum at 12.4 tons. Western Australia Museum Link photo CURRENT LOCATION: Western Australian Museum, Perth, WA, Australia
12. Morito, Chihuahua, México, 10.1 t Found 1600 IIIAB, Medium Octahedrite
According to the web site shown below it measures 1.20m x 1.70m x 2.00m and weigh 10,100 Kg  Photo1, P2, P3   Photos courtesy of Fernando Salinas.  CURRENT LOCATION: México City, Palacio de Mineria (Minery Palace) Way cool 360 view
13. Campo del Cielo (Santiago del Estero), Chaco, Argentina, 10.0 t Found 1997 IAB-MG, Coarse octahedrite
According to Oscar Turone of Buenos Aires via personal communication this new find weighs 10t[metric]. CURRENT LOCATION: near find site???Photo
14. Chupaderos II, Chihuahua, México, 6.767 t Found 1852 IIIAB, Medium octahedrite
Photo Photo courtesy of Fernando Salinas. CURRENT LOCATION: México City, Palacio de Mineria (Minery Palace) Way cool 360 view
15. Mundrabilla II, Western Australia, Australia, 6.1 t Found 1966 IAB-ungr, Medium octahedrite
According to an article in MPI Spiegel (May 1973) it actually weighed 6.1 t[metric] before cutting.   Photo1, P2, P3, P4   CURRENT LOCATION: MPI, USA, Australia, Great Britain and Russia
16. Bendegó, Bahia, Brazil, 5.360 t Found 1784 IC, Coarse octahedrite
Meteorite! Nov 1999 The Bendego Iron pp. 36-339.  Link Photo CURRENT LOCATION National Museum, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

References
Buchwald, Vagn F. (1976) Catalogue of Meteorites in the Geological Museum of the U of Copenhagen
Carman (1995) Collecting Meteorites
Heide (1995) Meteorites Messengers from Space
Merrill (1934) Minerals of Earth and Sky; Part 1: The Story of Meteorites
MPI Spiegel (May 1973) translated from German "Giant Meteorite Distributed among East and West"
Namnandorj (1980) Meteorites of Mongolia
Norton (1998) Rocks from Space 2nd edition
Reeds (1937) The Catalogue of Meteorites in the American Museum of Natural History as of October 1, 1935 sic 1936

My research seems to change the order somewhat. One must remember that most of the meteorites have not been weighed and the given weights are estimated. If anybody has any more information on any of these meteorites I would appreciate it. I am especially interested in pictures of Gobi(see below) and 16 with somebody near them for scale. I would also be interested in any additional information with references on accurate weights of these specimens. It just might make a great article also.
I was also wondering since I am a collector at heart which of these meteorites are represented in the collections. I am interested in purchasing pieces of the masses themselves. Mundrabilla is readily available on the market but what about a piece of Mundrabilla I or II. If anyone has any pieces of the above listed masses please email me with prices if you are interested in selling them.
Below are some meteorites that appear from time to time in literature but cannot be currently located.

? Gobi, China (Mongon-Tosh, Mongolia), 33,0 t, 1965, Iron (This Meteoritics states its weight as 20 t[metric]. The article in Meteoritics states that "In Bulgan Somon, Khovd aimag(Mongolia) the Mongon-Tosh iron meteorite with a mass of 20 tonnes is probably still located at the fall site. A shrine was built on its top and the local people believe the Earth lords or spirits reside on top of it. Based on details given in Namnandorj (1980), a chemical analysis has been performed by the Russian Academy of Sciences: 89.65 wt% Fe; 9.92 wt% Ni; and minor amounts of Co, P, and Si. Based on this analysis Mongon-Tosh appears to be an iron meteorite". 1996M&PS...31..152B Page 1.) I personally believe that if this meteorite is kept on the list it should be noted with an asterisk beside its name. Especially since there seems to be no good data on it; e.g., not recognized by the Meteoritical Society. LOCATION: Find Site

? Campo del Cielo (Mesón de Fierro), Argentina, 20,0 t, 1576, IA (As to this iron Heide (1995) writes "The history of the large iron meteorites from the Campo del Cielo in Argentina is interesting. They had long been known by the local inhabitants who apparently knew about their origin because they named the place where they were found Campo del Cielo = Field of the Heavens. The Spanish governor sent an expedition there in 1576 that found the 15-t iron block "Meson de Fierro" (large table of iron). Later expeditions in the 18th century thought that it was silver ore and tried to recover the silver. The enlightened Europeans of the time did not believe that these specimens could have fallen from the heavens. As they were not successful in recovering silver, the locations of the "Meson de Fierro" was forgotten and to date has not been relocated.) Note: I would list this as doubtful unless you have some other more recent information. LOCATION: Unknown

? Port Orford, USA, 10,0 t, 1859, PAL (Let me see those 10 tons, enough said)


Mike Jensen
16730 E Ada PL
Aurora CO 80017-3137
303-337-4361
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