Meteorites can be found almost anywhere.
Meteorites fall every day around the world. Most are too small to be found and leave almost no trace of their entry into the Earth's atmosphere. But a few make it all the way to the surface and leave craters. Craters left by meteor impact range in size from too small to notice to hundreds of feet across, such as Meteor Crater in northern Arizona. Because meteorites are very different in composition from rocks normally found on the Earth's surface, you can often find them near impact sites or certain types of terrain.
Instructions
1. Find a good place to search for meteorites. Although near a small crater is a good location, if the crater is on private property or in the middle of a swamp, searching for meteorites will be very difficult. Ideal locations for finding meteorites are in arid climates with flat topography, such as the U.S. Southwest.
2. Use a metal detector or a stick with a strong magnet attached to locate meteorites as you walk around the area surrounding the crater. Most meteorites are rich in iron and other metals, making them magnetic.
3. Look for dark-colored rocks that appear to have a melted surface. Meteors are subjected to intense heat as they enter the Earth's atmosphere and the outer layers of the rock will melt. Once cooled, they are left with a fusion crust that looks very different from any other rock. The surface also may be covered with small depressions, as if someone used a spoon to carve out the rock.
4. Take any rocks you think might be meteorites to an expert for verification. Universities and colleges with geology departments are great resources to use in identifying your rocks.
Tags: Earth atmosphere, very different
