description Zagami Overview
Zagami is a Martian basaltic shergottite meteorite that fell near Zagami, Nigeria, in 1962. The recovered stone weighed about 18 kilograms, making it one of the largest individual Martian meteorites known. Its igneous minerals and trapped gases have been studied as evidence of volcanic processes and atmospheric conditions on Mars, so it serves as an important reference sample for planetary scientists.
insights Ranking position
Zagami ranks #26 of 213 in the Meteorite ranking, behind Chassigny, ahead of Peekskill.
help Zagami FAQ
How do scientists know Zagami came from Mars?
Zagami's mineralogy and trapped gases match Martian volcanic rocks and the atmosphere measured by spacecraft. It belongs to the shergottite group of Martian meteorites rather than to ordinary asteroid-derived chondrites.
What happened when Zagami fell in Nigeria?
The roughly 18-kilogram stone fell near Zagami in Nigeria on October 3, 1962. It reportedly landed only a few meters from a farmer and buried itself in a shallow impact hole.
Why is Zagami important for studying Martian volcanoes?
Zagami is a basaltic rock that crystallized from magma, so its minerals preserve evidence about volcanic processes inside Mars. Its large mass also allowed samples to be distributed to numerous laboratories.
How does Zagami differ from a Martian nakhlite such as Lafayette?
Zagami is a basaltic shergottite, while Lafayette is a clinopyroxene-rich nakhlite. Both came from Mars, but their distinct textures and mineral chemistry record different episodes of Martian igneous activity.
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