The Willamette meteorite, referred to as Tomanowos or "Spirit Power" by the Clackamas Chinook people, is the largest space rock found in North America and one of the biggest iron meteorites in the world. It weighs about 15.5 tons (14 metric tonnes), which is equal to roughly 31,000 pounds or 14,150 kilograms. This large interstellar object is approximately 10 feet in length, 6.5 feet in width, and 4.25 feet in height. Its composition includes over 91% iron, 7.6% nickel, and small amounts of cobalt, gallium, germanium, and iridium. It is believed to be a fragment of the metallic core of a differentiated planetesimal that formed in the early stages of the solar system's development.
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| The Willamette Meteorite, also known as Tomanowos, is a massive iron meteorite. |
The Willamette Meteorite: Secrets of North America’s Largest Space Rock
A Glacial Journey to Oregon: One of the meteorite's most notable geological features is the lack of an impact crater at the location where it was first found near West Linn, Oregon. Scientists have determined that the meteorite originally hit Earth thousands of years ago in a region far to the north, possibly in what is now Montana or Canada.
During the last Ice Age, about 13,000 years ago, a large continental glacier trapped the meteorite. When a massive glacial dam broke, it triggered the catastrophic Missoula Floods. An ice block containing the meteorite floated down the Columbia River basin. As the floodwaters reached the Willamette Valley, the iceberg stopped and melted, leaving the heavy iron rock on the fertile soil. Over time, water reacting with iron sulphides formed deep, basin-like cavities that are now a distinctive part of its shape.
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| The Willamette Meteorite weighs about 15.5 tons, making it an extraordinary space rock. |
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Willamette Meteorite, Oregon
Sacred Spirit Anchor of the Clackamas: Before the arrival of Euro-American settlers, Indigenous peoples of the Willamette Valley viewed Tomanowos (T’əmanəwas) as a sacred stone that connected the sky and Earth. The Clackamas Chinook used water collected from the hollows within the meteorite for medicinal purposes, spiritual rituals, and warrior ceremonies. Sending young members of the tribe to the stone on dark nights was a significant rite of passage.
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| Its distinctive pits and weathered surface reveal the meteorite’s long history on Earth. |
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Tomanowos: The Indigenous History of the Meteorite
Where Was the Willamette Meteorite Found?
The 1902 Theft and Legal Precedent: In 1902, Ellis Hughes, a miner living near West Linn, identified the celestial object on land owned by the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. Hughes spent over 90 difficult days building a wooden cart with log rollers and pulling the 15-tonne stone three-quarters of a mile to his property, intending to sell it. When the mining company discovered his actions, it filed a lawsuit. The legal case, known as Oregon Iron & Steel Co. v. Hughes, reached the Oregon Supreme Court, which in 1905 ruled that meteorites are natural parts of the land they are found on rather than personal property.
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| This enormous iron meteorite is one of the most famous meteorites in North America. |
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Willamette Meteorite: The Largest Meteorite Ever Found in the United States
Museum Home and Historic Repatriation Accord: In 1905, philanthropist Sarah Tappan Hoadley (Mrs William E.D. Dodge) bought the meteorite for $26,000, which is equivalent to about $930,000 today, and donated it to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Since 1906, it has been a key exhibit in the museum's astronomical collection. In 1999, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde asked for the return of Tomanowos under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). In 2000, the tribe and the museum reached an agreement: the museum would keep the meteorite for public display, while tribal members would be allowed to hold private ceremonies each year, honouring both its scientific and spiritual importance.
Quick Facts
- Name: Willamette Meteorite
- Location found: Oregon, United States
- Type: Iron meteorite
- Weight: About 15.5 tons (14 metric tonnes)
- Composition: Mainly iron and nickel
- Discovery: Found in the early 20th century
- Current home: American Museum of Natural History
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| This enormous iron meteorite is one of the most famous meteorites in North America. |
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Why Is the Willamette Meteorite Famous?
Unlike many relatively small meteorites, the Willamette Meteorite is enormous. Its distinctive surface is covered with deep hollows and grooves created over a very long period as the iron-rich rock interacted with Earth's environment.
The meteorite is also culturally important to the Clackamas people, who traditionally knew it as Tomanowos. It holds spiritual significance in their history and traditions.
A Remarkable Journey From Space to Oregon
Scientists believe the meteorite originated in the asteroid belt and travelled through space before eventually reaching Earth. It landed—or was transported by glacial processes—to the Oregon region long before modern humans encountered it.
The meteorite's story became even more complicated after its discovery because it was removed from the area and eventually transported to New York. Today, it is displayed at the American Museum of Natural History, where visitors can see its enormous size and unusual surface.
Conclusion
The Willamette Meteorite, also known as Tomanowos, is one of the most fascinating meteorites in the United States. This massive iron meteorite has a remarkable history, enormous size, and deep cultural significance. From its discovery in Oregon to its display at the American Museum of Natural History, the Willamette Meteorite continues to attract curiosity. Its story makes it a remarkable example of space rocks, meteorite history, and mysterious natural wonders.
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