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How large and heavy is the Hoba meteorite in Namibia?
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Meteor and meteoroid
The Cabin Creek meteorite, an iron (nickel-iron alloy) meteorite that was observed to fall in northwestern Arkansas on March 27, 1886. Its characteristic pattern of “thumbprint” dimples, or regmaglypts, is the result of melting and consequent ablation of its surface as it traveled through the atmosphere. The meteorite is likely a fragment of one of the M class asteroids, which show significant nickel-iron in their surface material.
The Hoba meteorite is the largest intact meteorite ever discovered on Earth. Regarding its size and weight:1
- Weight: It currently weighs approximately 60 tons, though it is estimated to have originally weighed as much as 66 tons before portions were removed by souvenir hunters and scientists.1
- Size: The object is roughly rectangular with a flat top, measuring about 2.7 meters (9 feet) across.1
It is composed primarily of iron (82.3 percent), nickel (16.4 percent), and cobalt (0.8 percent), making it the largest natural piece of iron found on the planet. Located in Namibia, it has remained in its original landing site since it fell to Earth less than 80,000 years ago.1