Willamette meteorite

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Willamette Meteorite at the American Museum of Natural History
Willamette Meteorite at the American Museum of Natural History

The iron-nickel Willamette Meteorite, discovered in the U.S. state of Oregon, is the largest meteorite found in the United States, and the sixth largest in the world.[1] No impact crater was preserved at the discovery site; it is possible that the meteorite landed in what is now Canada and was transported to where it was found by moving ice sheets.[2]

Contents

[edit] Physical characteristics

The Willamette Meteorite weighs about 32,000 pounds or 15.5 tons. It is classified as a type III iron meteorite, being composed of over 91% iron and about 8% nickel, with traces of cobalt and phosphorus. The approximate dimensions of the meteorite are 10 feet (3.05 m) tall by 6.5 feet (1.98 m) wide by 4.25 feet (1.3 m) deep. The distinctive pitting on the surface of the meteorite is believed to have resulted from both its high-speed atmospheric entry and subsequent weathering. In the case of weathering, rainwater interacted with the mineral troilite, resulting in a form of sulfuric acid which slowly dissolved portions of the meteorite. This resulted (over a very long period) in many of the pits that are visible today.

[edit] Modern history

The Willamette Meteorite was discovered in the Willamette Valley of Oregon at 45°22′N, 122°35′W, near the modern city of West Linn. Although apparently known to Native Americans, its modern discovery was made by settler Ellis Hughes in 1902. At this time the land was owned by the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. Hughes recognised the meteorite's significance, and in an attempt to claim ownership, secretly moved it to his own land. This involved 90 days of hard work to cover the 3/4 mile (1200 m) distance. The move was discovered and after a lawsuit, the Oregon Iron and Steel Company was recognized as the legal owner.[3]

Willamette Meteorite in the early 20th century
Willamette Meteorite in the early 20th century

In 1905 the meteorite was purchased by Mrs. William E. Dodge for $26,000. After being displayed at the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, it was donated to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where it is now on display.[4]

The meteorite was an object venerated by the Native American tribe inhabiting the area where it was found. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, a confederation of Native American tribes, used the meteorite, which they call Tomanowos, in an annual ceremony, and have requested that it be returned. The tribes reached an agreement with the museum in 2000. This states that tribal members may conduct a private ceremony around the meteorite once a year, and that ownership will be transferred to them should the museum stop using it for display.[5]

In response to a student's request in 2007, Representative John Lim introduced a resolution that would demand that the museum return the meteorite to Oregon. The tribes said they were not consulted, they did not support the resolution, and were content with the current arrangement with the museum.[6]

A 30-pound (14 kg) piece of the meteorite that had been traded to an individual for a Mars meteorite was planned to be auctioned in October 2007, which led to claims of insensitivity by the Clackamas Indians.[7] The meterorite section did not bring the price expected, however, and it was withdrawn from sale.[8]

A 4.5-ounce (130 g), 7.5-inch (19 cm) piece of the meteorite purchased in a 2006 auction is on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.[9][10]

[edit] Replicas

A replica of the meteorite is in Eugene, Oregon, outside the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History on the University of Oregon campus.[4] Another replica stands near the Willamette Methodist Church in West Linn, Oregon.[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cullman Hall of the Universe: The Willamette Meteorite. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  2. ^ Chang, Kenneth. "Uproar Over a Sliced, and Revered, Meteorite", New York Times (via meteoritearticles.com), February 14, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-11-02. 
  3. ^ Preston, Douglas. Strange Journey: Further Travels of The Willamette Meteorite. Meteor Treasures, accessed October 31, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Geology Tour. University of Oregon: Museum of Natural History, accessed October 31, 2007.
  5. ^ Sullivan, John. Pact Leaves Meteorite With Museum. The New York Times, June 23, 2000.
  6. ^ Walsh, Edward. "House caught between a rock and a hard place", March 27, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-29. 
  7. ^ Tribe: Sale of space rock 'insensitive'. CNN.com, accessed September 15, 2007.
  8. ^ Cow-killing meteorite sells for $1,554. CNN.com, accessed October 31, 2007.
  9. ^ Willamette Meteorite to Return to Oregon as Part of Evergreen Aviation Museum's Collection. Salem-News.com (2006-04-14). Retrieved on 2008-06-06.
  10. ^ Tims, Dana. "Space history stands tall in museum", The Oregonian, 2008-06-06. Retrieved on 2008-06-06. 
  11. ^ The Willamette Meteorite, Information Sources and LInks
 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2007)

[edit] External links