meteorite

Chelyabinsk Meteorite

Ordinary chondrite (LL5)

Hardness: 5-6; Color: Black fusion crust with light gray interior; Luster: Dull to slightly velvety fusion crust; Structure: Chondritic (contains small silicate droplets); Specific gravity: ~3.3

Hardness: 5-6
Color: Black fusion crust with light gray interior
Luster: Dull to slightly velvety fusion crust

Identified July 1, 2026More meteorite →

Explore Chelyabinsk Meteorite in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 5-6; Color: Black fusion crust with light gray interior; Luster: Dull to slightly velvety fusion crust; Structure: Chondritic (contains small silicate droplets); Specific gravity: ~3.3

Formation & geological history

Formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago in the early Solar System. This specimen fell to Earth on February 15, 2013, after a superbolide entered the atmosphere over Russia.

Uses & applications

Scientific research, planetary geology study, and high-value private collection.

Geological facts

The Chelyabinsk event was the largest known natural object to enter Earth's atmosphere since the 1908 Tunguska event. It shattered at high altitude, creating thousands of small fragments covered in fresh fusion crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by the thin, dark, glassy fusion crust and rounded 'regmaglypts' (thumbprint-like indentations). Use a magnet; most chondrites have high enough iron content to be attracted to a strong magnet.