Meteorite Sikhote Alin – Russia
Type: Iron / IIAB
Locality: Sikhote-Alin, Eastern Siberia, Russia
Weight: 2,8g
Dimensions: 1,5 x 1,1 x 0,4 cm
Year fell: 1947
Total known weight: 23 tonnes
Surface treatment: none – raw
| Category: | Sikhote Alin |
|---|---|
| By name: | Sikhote Alin |
| ? Type: | Iron |
| ? Surface treatment: | Natural (raw) |
| Packaging: | None |
| Specialties: | Observed fall |
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Sikhote-Alin Meteorite
The Sikhote-Alin meteorite is one of the most famous meteorites to have fallen to Earth. This massive iron meteorite fell on February 12, 1947, in eastern Siberia, Russia, near the Sikhote-Alin Mountains, from which it gets its name. This meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of approximately 14 kilometers per second. It exploded at a very low altitude of about 5.6 kilometers above the ground. The explosion was so bright that it was seen and heard up to 300 kilometers from the impact site and left a trail of smoke and dust visible for several hours after the fall.
Composition and characteristics
The Sikhote-Alin meteorite is classified as an iron meteorite of type IIAB, meaning it contains a high percentage of iron with smaller amounts of nickel and other trace elements. Its total mass is estimated to be around 70 tons, and upon impact, it fragmented into many pieces, leaving thousands of craters in the impact area. Large fragments are characterized by deep regmaglypts, which are surface impressions formed by erosion during atmospheric entry.
Significance and observation
This fall was significant due to its scale and the way it was recorded—it is one of the largest recorded iron meteorite falls in history and was observed by many witnesses, allowing for a very accurate determination of the impact location.