The world’s largest meteorite, the Hoba meteorite, is a hot commodity, with numerous unsuccessful attempts having been made to cut off a piece of the 60-tonne rock.
Enid Aigas, the guide stationed at the meteorite, says tourists have in the past attempted to cut pieces off the unguarded rock.
“Because of the components of the rock, it is valuable on the market,” she says.
The meteorite, which is located 20km west of Grootfontein, was discovered in 1920, and the area was declared a national heritage site on 15 March 1955.
Iron dominates the meteorite’s composition with 82,4%, and it also contains 16,4% nickel, and 0,76% cobalt. The rest of it’s composition includes carbon, silver, zinc and copper.
The rest of irs composition includes carbon, silver, zinc and copper.
Aigas says this makes it tempting to cut a piece off.
She has been stationed at the rock since late last year after theft attempts increased.
Aigas says the meteorite is 3m wide and 1m thick.
Currently, its weight is causing it to sink into the earth.
“It is sunken half a metre into the ground because it is so heavy,” she says.
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