Meteorites Found in Utah: 28 Documented

Utah has 28 officially recognized meteorites — 2 witnessed falls and 26 finds. The largest, Drum Mountains (Iron, IIIAB — iron meteorite — nickel-iron metal), weighed 529 kg. The record here spans 153 years — from Salt Lake City in 1869 to Great Salt Lake in 2022.

20 ordinary chondrites6 iron meteorites1 achondrite from asteroid Vesta1 enstatite chondrite

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Drum Mountains	Iron, IIIAB	529 kg	Found	1944	39.500, -112.900
Ioka	L3.5	31.5 kg	Found	1931	40.250, -110.083
Duchesne	Iron, IVA	22.7 kg	Found	1906	40.383, -110.867
Altonah	Iron, IVA	21.5 kg	Found	1932	40.567, -110.483
Park City	Iron, IIAB	12.3 kg	Found	1934	withheld
Gunlock	L3.2	6.8 kg	Found	1982	37.283, -113.783
Great Salt Lake	H5	3.5 kg	Fell	2022	40.731, -112.439
Great Salt Lake (b)	L4	3.2 kg	Found	2022	40.733, -112.472
Canyonlands	H6	1.5 kg	Found	1961	38.183, -109.883
Beaver-Harrison	L6	925 g	Found	1979	38.484, -113.136
Salt Lake City	H5	875 g	Found	1869	40.917, -111.667
Arches	L5	534 g	Found	2001	38.689, -109.585
Poison Spring	Iron	524 g	Found	1971	38.170, -110.367
Salina	Iron	235 g	Found	1908	38.983, -111.850
Garland	Diogenite-pm	102 g	Fell	1950	41.683, -112.133
Greener Reservoir	H4	45 g	Found	2004	39.491, -112.942
Tule Valley Hardpan 004	H5	37.5 g	Found	2007	38.957, -113.371
Tule Valley Hardpan 005	H6	29.5 g	Found	2007	38.958, -113.371
Tule Valley	L6	17.7 g	Found	2001	38.999, -113.382
Sunstone Knoll	L6	15.6 g	Found	1985	39.163, -112.708
Tule Valley Hardpan 008	L6	15 g	Found	2014	38.992, -113.381
Tule Valley Hardpan 003	H5	10.7 g	Found	2007	38.972, -113.373
Cricket Mountains	H6	10.6 g	Found	1985	38.903, -112.821
Wah Wah Valley	L6	9 g	Found	1986	38.677, -113.302
Tule Valley Hardpan 001	L5	5.1 g	Found	2009	38.943, -113.378
Tule Valley Hardpan 007	EL6	3.2 g	Found	2014	38.994, -113.382
Tule Valley Hardpan 006	H6	2.6 g	Found	2007	38.974, -113.367
Tule Valley Hardpan 002	H5	1.3 g	Found	2009	38.945, -113.382

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 Utah?

28 meteorites from Utah are officially recognized in the scientific record — 2 witnessed falls and 26 finds. The largest is Drum Mountains at 529 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in Utah?

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).