Meteorites from Russia
Russia’s vast size and varied landscapes have made it a rich source of meteorite discoveries.
Russia is one of the largest countries in the world, and it is home to some of the most significant meteorite finds, spanning various regions from the Ural Mountains to Siberia. Russian meteorites are often prized by collectors and researchers due to their diversity, size, and scientific value.
One of the most famous meteorites from Russia is the Chelyabinsk meteorite, which entered the atmosphere over the Chelyabinsk region in February 2013. This spectacular event became one of the most widely observed meteorite falls in history, with security cameras capturing the bright flash as the meteorite exploded in the atmosphere. The resulting shockwave caused extensive damage, but the meteorite itself was relatively small compared to the scale of the impact. Fragments of the Chelyabinsk meteorite were recovered from frozen lakes and other locations, and its classification as an ordinary chondrite has provided valuable data on asteroid composition. The Chelyabinsk meteorite remains one of the most widely studied meteorites to date.
The Pallasovka meteorite is another significant find from Russia. It was discovered in Volgograd Oblast in 1990 and is classified as a pallasite, one of the rarer types of meteorites. Pallasites, with their mixture of silicate minerals and metallic iron-nickel, are highly prized by collectors for their striking appearance, particularly the beautiful olivine crystals embedded in a nickel-iron matrix. The Pallasovka meteorite features large olivine crystals, making it a prime example of a pallasite, and is highly valued for both its aesthetic appeal and scientific significance.
The Seymchan meteorite is another notable Russian specimen, found in 1967. It is classified as a stony-iron meteorite of the pallasite type, and like Pallasovka, it is prized for its distinctive appearance. Seymchan meteorites are known for their large olivine crystals, which are often found in polished slices of the meteorite, giving them a beautiful, gem-like quality. Some Seymchan specimens also show remarkable Widmanstätten patterns, making them highly sought after by meteorite enthusiasts.
The Sikhote-Alin meteorite is one of the most significant finds in Russian meteorite history. It fell in Sikhote-Alin, located in the Russian Far East, in 1947. This iron meteorite was one of the largest meteorite showers in recorded history.
The Sikhote-Alin meteorite’s fragments range in size, with some weighing over 1,000 kilograms. The meteorite’s impact created craters and scattered large metal fragments across a wide area. Due to the size and accessibility of the fragments, Sikhote-Alin remains a popular meteorite for both collectors and researchers. It is known for its striking Widmanstätten patterns and its contribution to understanding the structure and composition of large iron meteorites.
Russia’s vast size and varied landscapes have made it a rich source of meteorite discoveries, and the meteorites mentioned above are just a small sampling of the many fascinating specimens that have been found over the years.
From the famous Chelyabinsk fall to the rare pallasites of Seymchan and Pallasovka, Russian meteorites continue to play an important role in meteorite research and collecting.