description Thiel Mountains Overview
Pallasite stony-iron meteorite found in Antarctica's Thiel Mountains, recovered during systematic U.S. Antarctic meteorite search program expeditions.
help Thiel Mountains FAQ
What type of meteorite is Thiel Mountains?
The unnumbered Thiel Mountains meteorite is an iron-rich stony-iron pallasite, classified in the main-group pallasite family. Its characteristic structure combines Fe-Ni metal with olivine crystals.
Where and when was the Thiel Mountains meteorite found?
It was found in Antarctica near the Thiel Mountains during the early U.S. Antarctic meteorite-search era. The Meteoritical Bulletin lists the original find as 1961 or 1962 and records that it was not an observed fall.
How large is the original Thiel Mountains pallasite?
The official Meteoritical Bulletin entry lists a total mass of 31.7 kilograms for the unnumbered Thiel Mountains pallasite. Later numbered specimens such as Thiel Mountains 07016 are separate catalog entries.
Why are olivine crystals important in a pallasite like Thiel Mountains?
Pallasites are visually distinctive because greenish olivine crystals sit inside an iron-nickel metal matrix. That mixture is why Thiel Mountains is classified as a stony-iron meteorite rather than an ordinary chondrite.
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