Rock Identifier
Weathered metallic fragment, possibly iron meteorite or industrial slag (Uncertain; candidate iron meteorite (Fe–Ni alloy), but terrestrial slag or corroded metal is also plausible) — meteorite
meteorite

Weathered metallic fragment, possibly iron meteorite or industrial slag

Uncertain; candidate iron meteorite (Fe–Ni alloy), but terrestrial slag or corroded metal is also plausible

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Dark gray, metallic-to-dull luster with rusty brown oxidation and an irregular, possibly melted surface; hardness and crystal structure cannot be determined from the image. A meteorite should be strongly magnetic and unusually dense, whereas slag may show bubbles or glassy texture.

Identified More meteorite
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Physical properties

Dark gray, metallic-to-dull luster with rusty brown oxidation and an irregular, possibly melted surface; hardness and crystal structure cannot be determined from the image. A meteorite should be strongly magnetic and unusually dense, whereas slag may show bubbles or glassy texture.

Formation & geological history

If meteoritic, it formed in a differentiated asteroid and may be billions of years old; if slag, it is human-produced smelting waste. The pavement setting and apparent oxidation make terrestrial metal or slag at least as likely.

Uses & applications

Iron meteorites are collector specimens; slag has little value except as an industrial or historical curiosity.

Geological facts

Visual identification is inconclusive: fusion crust, Widmanstätten patterns, and a nickel test are needed to support a meteorite identification.

Field identification & locations

Test with a magnet, measure density, and inspect a freshly cut or filed area for metal and crystalline Widmanstätten pattern; do not rely on appearance alone. Meteorites commonly contain nickel and lack vesicles.