Meteorites Found in Tennessee: 27 Documented

Tennessee has 27 officially recognized meteorites — 4 witnessed falls and 23 finds. The largest, Cosby's Creek (Iron, IAB-MG — iron meteorite — nickel-iron metal), weighed 960 kg. The record here spans 193 years — from Drake Creek in 1827 to Chestnut Ridge in 2020.

19 iron meteorites5 ordinary chondrites2 mesosiderites1 achondrite from asteroid Vesta

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Cosby's Creek	Iron, IAB-MG	960 kg	Found	1837	35.783, -83.250
Babb's Mill (Blake's Iron)	Iron, ungrouped	136 kg	Found	1876	36.300, -82.883
Carthage	Iron, IIIAB	127 kg	Found	1840	36.267, -85.983
Smithville	Iron, IAB-MG	70.5 kg	Found	1840	35.983, -85.850
Lawrenceburg	H5	64 kg	Found	—	35.240, -87.330
Savannah	Iron, IIIAB	60 kg	Found	1923	35.167, -88.183
Crab Orchard	Mesosiderite-A1	48.5 kg	Found	1887	35.833, -84.917
Harriman (Of)	Iron, IVA	30 kg	Found	—	35.950, -84.567
Tazewell	Iron, IAB-sLH	27 kg	Found	1853	36.433, -83.750
Bristol	Iron, IVA	20 kg	Found	1937	36.567, -82.183
Coopertown	Iron, IIIE	16.8 kg	Found	1860	36.433, -87.000
Morristown	Mesosiderite-A3	16.3 kg	Found	1887	36.200, -83.383
Waldron Ridge	Iron, IAB complex	13.6 kg	Found	1887	36.633, -83.833
Harriman (Om)	Iron, IIIAB	13 kg	Found	1938	35.950, -84.567
Palmersville	H5	10 kg	Found	1908	36.467, -88.603
Murfreesboro	Iron, ungrouped	8.6 kg	Found	1847	35.833, -86.417
Clinton	Iron	7.7 kg	Found	1950	36.083, -84.200
Babb's Mill (Troost's Iron)	Iron, ungrouped	6.4 kg	Found	1842	36.300, -82.883
Drake Creek	L6	5 kg	Fell	1827	36.400, -86.500
Charlotte	Iron, IVA	4.3 kg	Fell	1835	36.167, -87.333
Chestnut Ridge	H5	2.9 kg	Found	2020	35.331, -86.535
Cookeville	Iron, IAB-ung	2.3 kg	Found	1913	36.167, -85.517
Petersburg	Eucrite-pmict	1.8 kg	Fell	1855	35.300, -86.633
Maryville	L6	1.4 kg	Fell	1983	35.800, -84.100
Jackson County	Iron, IIIAB	450 g	Found	1846	36.417, -85.500
Livingston (Tennessee)	Iron, IAB-ung	235 g	Found	1937	36.417, -85.250
Jonesboro	Iron, IVA	30 g	Found	1891	36.300, -82.467

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 Tennessee?

27 meteorites from Tennessee are officially recognized in the scientific record — 4 witnessed falls and 23 finds. The largest is Cosby's Creek at 960 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in Tennessee?

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).