Meteorites Found in South Dakota: 19 Documented

South Dakota has 19 officially recognized meteorites — 2 witnessed falls and 17 finds. The largest, Faith (H5 — ordinary chondrite (high iron)), weighed 105 kg. The record here spans 162 years — from Fort Pierre in 1856 to Dry Creek in 2018.

12 ordinary chondrites6 iron meteorites1 mesosiderite

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Faith	H5	105 kg	Found	1952	45.333, -102.083
Bennett County	Iron, IIAB	89 kg	Found	1934	43.500, -101.250
Wolsey	Iron, IAB-MG	74.8 kg	Found	1981	44.400, -98.533
Astoria	Iron, IIIAB	28 kg	Found	1961	44.554, -96.519
Cavour	H6	26.2 kg	Found	1938	44.221, -98.059
Flandreau	H5	21.4 kg	Found	1983	44.048, -96.592
Bath	H4	21 kg	Fell	1892	45.417, -98.317
Emery	Mesosiderite-A3	16.7 kg	Found	1962	43.563, -97.583
Fort Pierre	Iron, IIIAB	15.9 kg	Found	1856	44.350, -100.383
Mission	L	12 kg	Found	1949	43.317, -100.767
Timber Lake	H3	8.7 kg	Found	2011	45.425, -101.097
Winner	L3.9	8.5 kg	Found	2004	43.364, -99.920
Lemmon	H5	6.7 kg	Found	1984	45.933, -102.183
Crow Peak	Iron, IIAB	6.3 kg	Found	1958	44.477, -103.972
Dry Creek	H5	5 kg	Found	2018	44.042, -101.925
Harding County	L4	3.1 kg	Found	1941	45.500, -103.500
Batesland	H5	2.5 kg	Found	1961	43.133, -102.100
Fairburn	Iron, IAB-ung	445 g	Found	1907	43.603, -103.026
Centerville	H5	45.6 g	Fell	1956	43.200, -96.917

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 South Dakota?

19 meteorites from South Dakota are officially recognized in the scientific record — 2 witnessed falls and 17 finds. The largest is Faith at 105 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in South 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).