Meteorite Vaca Muerta 5,1g – Chile
Type: Mesosiderite A1
Locality: Chile
Weight: 5,1g
Dimensions: 3,7 x 2,8 x 0,1 cm
Year found: 1861
Total known weight: 3,83 tonnes
Surface treatment: cut, polished slice
| Category: | Vaca Muerta |
|---|---|
| By name: | Vaca Muerta |
| ? Type: | Stony-iron |
| ? Surface treatment: | Cut |
| Packaging: | None |
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Vaca Muerta Meteorite – Mesosiderite from Chile
The Vaca Muerta meteorite was discovered in 1861 in Chile, specifically in the Atacama Desert, a region known for its high concentration of meteorite finds. Its peculiar name (“dead cow”) comes from a nearby riverbank where several cow skeletons were found. The meteorite was forgotten for more than a century until it was rediscovered in 1985. The main mass formed a small crater several meters in diameter, which remains preserved to this day. The total recovered mass of the Vaca Muerta meteorite is approximately 3.8 tons.
Classification and Composition
Vaca Muerta belongs to the group of mesosiderites – rare meteorites composed of a mixture of iron-nickel metal and silicate minerals. It has a chaotic structure, alternating between rock-dominated regions with metallic inclusions and metal-rich areas containing rocky inclusions. Mesosiderites such as Vaca Muerta most likely formed through the collision of two asteroids, which caused the mixing of material from a metallic core and a silicate mantle.
Finding Environment
The desert region of Vaca Muerta is known for its arid climate, which promotes the excellent preservation of meteorites. Low humidity and minimal rainfall slow down corrosion, allowing meteorites such as Vaca Muerta to remain in very good condition for thousands of years.