LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 January Signature Natural History #5000  / 

48334

CANYON DEL DIABLO - AMERICA'S FAVORITE METEORITE

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,875.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
CANYON DEL DIABLO - AMERICA'S FAVORITE METEORITE
<B>CANYON DEL DIABLO - AMERICA'S FAVORITE METEORITE</B></I><BR> <I>Coarse Octahedrite Class<BR>Canyon del Diablo (Devil's Canyon), Coconino Co., Arizona</B></I><BR>One of the most popular tourist destinations in North America is the huge impact crater near Winslow, Arizona known as the "Devil's Canyon". Over 600 feet deep, the crater was formed over 50,000 years ago when an enormous nickel-iron meteorite approximately 50 feet across exploded over the Arizona desert with the force of over 150 atomic bombs. The resultant crater was 1,400 feet deep and 4,000 feet across, filled in by rock debris dislodged by the explosion to create the 570 foot deep crater we know today. Thermal instability caused by the tremendous heat of atmospheric friction resulted in an almost unimaginable release of energy, vaporizing the giant meteorite and converting most of its mass into a mist of burning hot nickel-iron droplets. A tiny percentage of the mass, sections on the surface of the meteoroid, were ejected as shrapnel, and were scattered up to 11 miles away from the main point of impact. This extraterrestrial sculpture is one such fragment, a rare unvaporized survivor with a fine covering of fusion crust, measuring 9¾ inches long and weighing 9 pounds 12½ ounces.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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