Do Meteorites Rust?

Short answer: Yes, many meteorites can rust. Meteorites that contain iron metal are vulnerable to oxidation when exposed to moisture and oxygen. This is especially common with iron meteorites and some stony meteorites that contain iron-nickel metal.

Why Meteorites Rust

Meteorites often contain iron and nickel metal that formed in the cores of ancient asteroids. When this metal is exposed to Earth's atmosphere, it reacts with oxygen and moisture, producing iron oxides commonly known as rust.

This process is similar to the corrosion seen in steel or iron objects on Earth.

Which Meteorites Rust the Most?

Iron Meteorites

Iron meteorites are composed mostly of iron-nickel metal. Because of this, they can rust if not properly protected from humidity and moisture.

Stony Meteorites

Many stony meteorites contain small grains of iron-nickel metal. These metal grains can oxidize over time, causing rust spots or staining within the stone.

Stony-Iron Meteorites

Stony-iron meteorites contain both silicate minerals and metallic iron. The metal portion may corrode if exposed to humid environments.

Why Desert Meteorites Often Rust

Many meteorites are found in deserts such as the Sahara or Northwest Africa. Even in dry environments, meteorites may develop rust over long periods due to occasional moisture and chemical weathering.

How Collectors Prevent Meteorite Rust

Collectors and museums take several steps to protect meteorites from corrosion:

Storing meteorites in low-humidity environments
Using desiccants or climate-controlled display cases
Applying protective coatings to iron meteorites
Keeping specimens dry and clean

Why Rust Matters for Meteorite Preservation

Rust can gradually damage meteorites and obscure scientific features such as metal grains and mineral structures. Proper storage and conservation are important to preserve meteorites for scientific study and collecting.

Chlorides and Lawrencite Disease

Many meteorite collectors are familiar with a corrosion process known as lawrencite disease. This type of corrosion occurs when meteorites contain iron chloride minerals that react with moisture in the air.

Lawrencite (iron chloride) can form inside meteorites while they are exposed to Earth's environment, especially in desert regions where meteorites may absorb salts from the surrounding soil.

When humidity is present, these chlorides react with iron metal inside the meteorite. This reaction produces hydrochloric acid and iron oxides, which can cause rapid corrosion and structural damage.

This process can continue repeatedly as long as moisture is present, leading to expanding rust and cracking in iron meteorites and metal-bearing stony meteorites.

Signs of Lawrencite Corrosion

Orange or reddish rust forming in cracks or pits
Powdery corrosion products appearing on the surface
Rust that reappears after cleaning
Expansion and cracking of the specimen

Why Chlorides Are a Problem

Chloride contamination is particularly common in meteorites recovered from desert environments such as Northwest Africa or Oman. Salt-bearing soils can introduce chloride ions into fractures and pores within the meteorite.

If these chlorides are not removed or stabilized, corrosion can continue long after the meteorite is recovered.

How Collectors Manage Chloride Corrosion

Collectors and conservators sometimes treat meteorites to remove or stabilize chlorides. Common approaches include:

Careful cleaning and drying of the specimen
Low-humidity storage environments
Chemical stabilization treatments
Protective coatings for iron meteorites

Proper conservation is important to prevent long-term deterioration of meteorite specimens.

Browse Authentic Meteorites

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all meteorites rust?
No. Meteorites that contain little or no metal are less prone to rusting.

Why do iron meteorites rust easily?
Iron meteorites contain iron-nickel metal that reacts with oxygen and moisture in Earth's atmosphere.

Can rust damage meteorites?
Yes. Over time, corrosion can degrade the structure of some meteorites if they are not properly preserved.