My first expedition · May 2010

Muonionalusta Meteorite

Sweden, Norrbotten, tundra near the Arctic Circle

MeteoriteIron, IVA
LeaderV. N. Stepakov
Duration10 days, 4 participants
Found3 specimens, 40 kg in total
DepthAbout 1 m

The expedition in search of the Muonionalusta meteorite, led by the experienced geologist and meteorite expert V. N. Stepakov, took place at the end of May 2010 and lasted ten days. There were four participants, two of whom came from Germany especially for this. During this time, through joint efforts, we found three specimens with a total weight of 40 kg. The average depth of the specimens was about one metre.

Expedition team with a Muonionalusta meteorite find in the tundra, 2010
Muonionalusta, 2010

Lately, many geologists and amateurs from different countries have worked around the strewn field. The local people cannot look at this indifferently and take an active part in the search for fragments of this event of cosmic scale.

Anton Artemev holding a freshly dug Muonionalusta iron meteorite, 2012
Muonionalusta, 2012

Considering that the search zone stretches for 75 km, our find, to tell the truth, can be considered one of the most modest. The main masses had been found before us. For example, one specimen weighed 1,800 kg; it was recovered by a Russian team a couple of years earlier.

Anton Artemev at the Muonionalusta road sign with a meteorite, 2013
Muonionalusta, 2013

The search took place in cross-country conditions in the tundra near the Arctic Circle. We were lucky with the weather, and the insects had not woken up yet, so they did not disturb our rest. Reindeer looked at us indifferently and walked away.

Anton Artemev with a Muonionalusta meteorite in a dig pit, 2014
Muonionalusta, 2014
Anton Artemev in a deep excavation pit in the Muonionalusta strewn field, 2017
Muonionalusta, 2017
← All expeditions