Meteorites Found in Wyoming: 15 Documented

Wyoming has 15 officially recognized meteorites — 1 witnessed fall and 14 finds. The largest, Willow Creek (Iron, IIIE — iron meteorite — nickel-iron metal), weighed 51 kg. The record here spans 121 years — from Silver Crown in 1887 to Hyattville in 2008.

9 ordinary chondrites5 iron meteorites1 pallasite

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Willow Creek	Iron, IIIE	51 kg	Found	1914	43.467, -106.767
Bear Lodge	Iron, IIIAB	48.5 kg	Found	1931	44.500, -104.200
Albin (pallasite)	Pallasite, PMG	37.6 kg	Found	1915	41.500, -104.100
Waltman	L4	23.4 kg	Found	1948	43.000, -107.167
Albin (stone)	L	15.4 kg	Found	1949	41.417, -104.100
Silver Crown	Iron, IAB-MG	11.6 kg	Found	1887	41.233, -104.983
Hyattville	L6	8.9 kg	Found	2008	44.338, -107.674
Hat Creek	H4	8.9 kg	Found	1939	42.917, -104.417
Nova 073	Iron, IAB-MG	6.5 kg	Found	1968	withheld
Pine Bluffs	H	2.7 kg	Found	1935	41.183, -104.067
Clareton	L6	1.1 kg	Found	1931	43.700, -104.700
Hawk Springs	H5	367 g	Found	1935	41.783, -104.283
Torrington	H6	259 g	Fell	1944	42.067, -104.167
Rock Springs	L6	52.7 g	Found	2003	41.650, -109.025
Lusk	Iron	46 g	Found	1940	42.767, -104.350

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 Wyoming?

15 meteorites from Wyoming are officially recognized in the scientific record — 1 witnessed falls and 14 finds. The largest is Willow Creek at 51 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in Wyoming?

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).