OLogy Cards > meteorites

A Rock from the Sky
The largest meteorite ever found in the United States is called the Willamette Meteorite. This massive meteorite is displayed at the American Museum of Natural History. Thousands of years ago, it entered the Earth's atmosphere and crashed onto the surface. It landed in an area we know today as the Willamette Valley in the state of Oregon, which is how the meteorite got its name. For millions more years, the meteorite lay exposed to the humid, rainy weather. Over time, the rain slowly wore holes in the meteorite. Scientists are still studying the meteorite to learn about the early solar system.

The meteorite has cultural importance as well. A Native American tribe called the Clackamas live in the Willamette Valley. They believe that the meteorite was sent to them by the Sky People. The rainwater that collected in its holes was used for healing, cleansing, and strength. Descendants of the Clackamas have preserved these traditions through ceremonies and songs.