Muonionalusta
Meteorite, tektite, or impactite
Take care.
- Breaks down in damp air: Keep it dry and in steady humidity; some crumble or rot as they take on moisture.
About it
Fine octahedrite (IVA) found in northern Sweden near the Muonio River, first noted in 1906, with pieces weathered out of glacial deposits. Etched slices show a sharp, fine Widmanstätten pattern; prone to rust.
- Type
- Meteorite, tektite, or impactite (iron)
- Group
- Iron meteorite, IVA (fine octahedrite)
- Specific gravity
- 7.5–8
- Lustre
- metallic
- Colours
- black to brown crust, steel grey when cut, rusty brown when weathered
- Transparency
- opaque
- Magnetic
- Strongly
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.