Meteorite Cape York – Greenland
Type: Iron meteorite / IIIAB
Locality: Greenland
Weight: 1,34g
Dimensions: 13 x 11 x 1 mm
Year found: 1818
Total known weight: 58,2 tonnes
Surface treatment: cut, polished slice
Packaging: Transparent plastic box (5,8 x 3,8 x 1,6 cm)
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Cape York Meteorite – Iron Giant from Greenland
The Cape York meteorite is one of the largest iron meteorites ever found on Earth. It impacted about 10,000 years ago in northern Greenland near Cape York. Local Inuit knew about it for centuries and used its iron to make tools such as harpoon tips and knives, as there were no natural metal sources in the region.
Discovery History
The first mention of the meteorite dates to 1818, when British explorer John Ross learned during his expedition that the Inuit possessed iron tools of unknown origin. The actual discovery was made by American explorer Robert Peary in 1894. A year later, he managed to transport the largest fragments to the United States—a major logistical feat. The largest piece weighed 31 tons and required the construction of a special ramp to load it onto a ship. Today, these fragments are on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Fragments and Cultural Significance
The largest fragment is called Ahnighito, weighing over 31 tons, and is one of the largest meteorites exhibited in a museum. Two smaller pieces, named Woman (3 tons) and Dog (400 kg), were named after Inuit legends. The Cape York meteorite is significant not only for its size but also for how it influenced the lives of Greenland’s indigenous people long before the outside world knew about it.
Composition and Structure
The Cape York meteorite is primarily composed of iron and nickel, which is typical for iron meteorites. It also contains small amounts of elements such as cobalt and phosphorus. Due to its high iron content, it is extremely heavy and strong, which explains why the Inuit used it for toolmaking—no other metals were available in their region.
Inside the meteorite is a structure called the Widmanstätten pattern—complex formations that develop during extremely slow cooling in space. These patterns appear when the meteorite is cut and etched with acid. They provide valuable insights into how the meteorite formed—likely deep within the core of a long-lost planet or planetary body.