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Where Is the World's Largest Known Meteorite?
geologyscience
Quick Answer
The Hoba meteorite in Namibia weighs about 60 tonnes and has never been moved.
The Full Story
The Hoba meteorite lies on a farm near Grootfontein in northern Namibia. Weighing about 60 tonnes and measuring roughly 2.7 × 2.7 × 0.9 metres, it is the largest known single meteorite and the most massive naturally occurring piece of iron on Earth's surface. It is believed to have fallen about 80,000 years ago. Despite its enormous mass, there is no visible impact crater — scientists think its flat shape and the atmosphere slowed it sufficiently. The meteorite is composed mainly of iron (about 84 %) and nickel (about 16 %). It was declared a national monument in 1955.
Key Facts
1.A farmer discovered the Hoba meteorite in 1920 while ploughing his field.
2.Vandalism and souvenir hunters have reduced its mass from an estimated 66 tonnes.
3.The meteorite is classified as an ataxite — a rare iron meteorite type.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The 60-Tonne Rock From Space — Namibia's Hoba Meteorite"