Muonionalusta
Muonionalusta is a fine octahedrite iron meteorite classified as IVA per the Meteoritical Bulletin, and the oldest meteorite known to have impacted Earth based on Pb-Pb dating of approximately 4.565 billion years. Every specimen here ships with its Meteoritical Bulletin classification and clear provenance.
How we verify Muonionalusta is real
Muonionalusta has been on the Meteoritical Bulletin since the early 20th century, and every specimen we sell is matched to that classification. Learn how the registry works on our Meteoritical Bulletin explained page, and review broader identification tips on how to tell if a meteorite is real.
About the Muonionalusta strewnfield
Sweden, 1906 first find. The first mass was recovered near the village of Kitkiojarvi in Norrbotten County, Sweden, after a child kicked what turned out to be a heavy iron-rich stone.
Arctic forest strewnfield. Additional masses, including a 158 kg specimen recovered in 2003, have since defined a 25 by 15 km strewnfield in the Arctic forest of northern Sweden.
IVA fine octahedrite. When etched, Muonionalusta reveals the striking Widmanstatten pattern characteristic of the IVA group, with kamacite, taenite, troilite, and schreibersite as primary phases.
Stishovite host. Muonionalusta is the first iron meteorite in which stishovite, a high-pressure silica polymorph, has been confirmed, recording a violent preterrestrial shock event on its parent body.
Parent body link to Gibeon. Among IVA irons, Muonionalusta shares a parent-body lineage with Gibeon and is one of the most collected and photogenic iron meteorites on the market.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Muonionalusta? Pb-Pb dating returns an age of about 4.565 billion years, making it the oldest meteorite known to have impacted Earth. Read more: How rare are meteorites?
Where was Muonionalusta found? In northern Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle, with the first mass recovered in 1906 and additional finds continuing into the 21st century.
Does Muonionalusta rust? Yes, more than some other irons. Store specimens in a low-humidity environment, ideally with silica gel and a sealed display case, and avoid bare-hand contact. Read more: Are meteorites magnetic?
What is a Widmanstatten pattern? It is the geometric crystal pattern revealed when a polished iron meteorite is etched with dilute nitric acid, reflecting kamacite and taenite intergrowths that grew over millions of years in the parent body core.
Is it legal to own Muonionalusta? Yes in the United States and most countries. Sweden does restrict new exports, so buy from sellers with documented older provenance. Read more: Are meteorites illegal to own?
See also: Iron meteorites · Stony meteorites · Lunar meteorites · Martian meteorites · Types of meteorites
