Meteorites Found in North Dakota: 11 Documented

North Dakota has 11 officially recognized meteorites — 1 witnessed fall and 10 finds. The largest, Richardton (H5 — ordinary chondrite (high iron)), weighed 90 kg. The record here spans 120 years — from Niagara in 1879 to Colgate in 1999.

6 ordinary chondrites5 iron meteorites

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Richardton	H5	90 kg	Fell	1918	46.883, -102.317
Colgate	H4#	39 kg	Found	1999	47.250, -97.660
New Leipzig	Iron, IAB-MG	20 kg	Found	1936	46.367, -101.950
Williston	Iron, IIIAB	7.7 kg	Found	1962	47.983, -103.650
Jamestown	Iron, IVA	4 kg	Found	1885	46.617, -98.500
Drayton	H4/5	2.4 kg	Found	1982	48.667, -97.117
Bowesmont	L6	2.3 kg	Found	1962	48.683, -97.167
Glasston	L5	2 kg	Found	1969	48.717, -97.300
Bowesmont (b)	L5	1.3 kg	Found	1972	48.783, -97.350
Freda	Iron, IAB-sLH	268 g	Found	1919	46.383, -101.233
Niagara	Iron, IAB-sLL	115 g	Found	1879	48.000, -97.933

Reading the classifications

H, L, LL (ordinary chondrites)

The most common meteorites — stony, with visible metal flecks. H = high iron content, L = low, LL = very low. The digit (3–6) says how much the parent asteroid heated it: 3 is the most pristine.

Carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CV, CO…)

Primitive, carbon-bearing stones that predate the planets — some carry water-bearing minerals and amino acids. Fragile and rare on the ground.

Irons (IAB, IIIAB…)

Solid nickel-iron from the shattered cores of asteroids. Dense, magnetic, and the easiest meteorites to recognize — most of the biggest US finds are irons.

Pallasites & mesosiderites (stony-irons)

The showpieces: pallasites are gem-quality olivine suspended in polished metal, from the core-mantle boundary of destroyed asteroids.

Achondrites (eucrite, howardite…)

Volcanic rocks from bodies large enough to melt — most trace to the asteroid Vesta; the rarest are from the Moon and Mars.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many meteorites have been found in North Dakota?

11 meteorites from North Dakota are officially recognized in the scientific record — 1 witnessed falls and 10 finds. The largest is Richardton at 90 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in North Dakota?

On BLM-managed public land, casual collecting is legal without a permit: surface finds, up to 10 lb per person per year, personal use only. National parks prohibit all collecting, and on private land the meteorite belongs to the landowner. Always verify land status before hunting.

How do I know if a rock is a meteorite?

Quick field checks: meteorites are unusually dense, most attract a magnet (iron-nickel content), fresh ones have a thin black fusion crust, and many show regmaglypts (thumbprint-like depressions). Slag and magnetite are the common false alarms.

⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.

Coordinates are historical find locations from the scientific record, often approximate — not guaranteed collecting spots; verify land status and permissions before hunting. Source of record: Meteoritical Bulletin Database (Meteoritical Society).