Meteorites Found in Pennsylvania: 8 Documented

Pennsylvania has 8 officially recognized meteorites — 3 witnessed falls and 5 finds. The largest, Mount Joy (Iron, IIAB — iron meteorite — nickel-iron metal), weighed 384 kg. The record here spans 91 years — from Pittsburg in 1850 to Black Moshannan Park in 1941.

5 iron meteorites3 ordinary chondrites

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Mount Joy	Iron, IIAB	384 kg	Found	1887	39.783, -77.217
New Baltimore	Iron, ungrouped	20 kg	Found	1922	40.000, -78.850
Shrewsbury	Iron, IAB-sLL	12 kg	Found	1907	39.767, -76.667
Bald Eagle	Iron, IIIAB	3.2 kg	Found	1891	41.283, -77.050
Bradford Woods	L	762 g	Fell	1886	40.500, -80.083
Black Moshannan Park	L5	705 g	Fell	1941	40.917, -78.083
Pittsburg	Iron, IAB-MG	600 g	Found	1850	40.433, -80.000
Chicora	LL6	303 g	Fell	1938	40.933, -79.733

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 Pennsylvania?

8 meteorites from Pennsylvania are officially recognized in the scientific record — 3 witnessed falls and 5 finds. The largest is Mount Joy at 384 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in Pennsylvania?

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).