How Much Does the Largest Meteorite on Earth Weigh?

The Hoba meteorite, which landed in Namibia around 80,000 years ago, is the largest known meteorite on Earth. Interestingly, it was discovered by accident, as it left no crater or other impact marks. Its surface is notably smooth and flat, which is unusual for meteorites.

Hoba is a dense metallic body measuring 2.7 × 2.7 × 0.9 meters. It is composed of 84% iron and 16% nickel, with a small amount of cobalt. The surface is covered with iron hydroxides. In terms of its crystalline structure, Hoba is classified as a nickel-rich ataxite.

The meteorite has never been officially weighed. It is estimated that when it first fell to Earth, it weighed around 90 tons. By 1920, its mass was calculated to be about 66 tons. However, due to erosion, scientific sampling, and vandalism, its weight has decreased to approximately 60 tons today.