Reviews
Meteorites That Hit Buildings, Cars & People
Meteorites are captivating remnants from space, formed from cosmic materials and ancient collisions dating back billions of years. Among these, however, there’s a special category that inspires both awe and fear: the "hammer stones." These are meteorites that, after their blazing journey through the atmosphere, don’t just land in remote deserts or icy regions—they strike directly into buildings, vehicles, and, in rare cases, even people. With an estimated 17,000 meteorite falls each year, it's surprising these direct impacts don’t occur more often. Let’s explore some of the most intriguing meteorite impacts on human civilization.
The Mbale Meteorite Shower occurred on August 14, 1992, over the town of Mbale in Uganda. This event involved an ordinary chondrite meteorite that fragmented upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, scattering hundreds of small pieces across a wide area. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions as the meteor disintegrated, followed by fragments raining down from the sky.
One particularly memorable aspect of the Mbale event is that one of the meteorite fragments reportedly struck a young boy on the head, though, fortunately, it caused no injuries as the fragment was slowed by a tree canopy. The boy was unharmed, making this one of the rare instances where a meteorite made contact with a person without causing harm.
Young boy reportedly struck by a small meteorite during the M'Bale fall of 1992 in Uganda.
The Chicora Meteorite fell on June 24, 1938, near the town of Chicora in Pennsylvania, USA. This meteorite, which initially broke up in the atmosphere, scattered fragments over a wide area. One of the larger fragments, estimated to weigh about 450 grams, struck a house, causing minor damage but leaving a lasting impact on the local community. Another piece reportedly hit a nearby chicken coop, adding to the mystique of the event.
The incident was well-documented for its time, drawing interest from scientists and the public alike. The recovered fragments have since been preserved and studied, with the Chicora Meteorite standing as one of the earlier recorded meteorites to hit a building in the United States.
The Peekskill Meteorite is one of the most famous meteorite events in modern history, occurring on October 9, 1992, in Peekskill, New York, USA. This meteorite, weighing approximately 27 pounds (12.4 kg), entered Earth’s atmosphere as a fireball visible across several states along the eastern U.S., lighting up the night sky in a spectacular display. After traveling at high speed, the meteorite struck a parked Chevrolet Malibu, creating a large dent in the car’s trunk and leaving burn marks around the impact site.
The event was particularly well-documented, with numerous witnesses capturing the fireball on camera. The car, along with the meteorite, became a piece of meteorite-collecting lore, and the damaged Chevrolet has since been exhibited at various events as a unique artifact.
The Chevy hit by the Peekskill Meteorite.
The Monahans Meteorite made a surprising impact on March 22, 1998, in the town of Monahans, Texas, USA. This meteorite fragment, weighing about 2.6 pounds (1.18 kilograms), landed in a public park, striking the pavement on a basketball court where several children had been playing moments earlier. The kids were quick to notice the hot, freshly fallen rock and took it to nearby adults, sparking immediate interest and caution as they realized it was a meteorite. Later analysis revealed traces of liquid water trapped in salt crystals within the meteorite, giving it significant scientific value as well. T
The Novato Meteorite fell on October 17, 2012, in the city of Novato, California, USA. This meteorite, part of a larger fireball witnessed across the San Francisco Bay Area, broke up as it entered Earth’s atmosphere. One of the fragments, weighing about 60 grams, hit the roof of a private home, damaging the roof tiles and startling the residents. The homeowner discovered the small, charred rock and reported it to authorities, leading to a scientific investigation that confirmed it was indeed a meteorite.
The Valera Meteorite fell on October 15, 1972, near the town of Valera in Trujillo, Venezuela. This meteorite is particularly memorable because it struck and reportedly killed a cow in a field, making it one of the rare instances of a meteorite directly impacting an animal. Witnesses found the animal with a small but fatal wound, and the meteorite fragment, weighing about 3.25 pounds (1.5 kilograms), was recovered nearby.
The Hodges Meteorite is an extraordinary and historically significant meteorite that fell on November 30, 1954, in Sylacauga, Alabama, USA. Weighing around 8.5 pounds (3.8 kg), this meteorite blasted through the roof of a house, then struck a wooden console radio before ultimately hitting Ann Hodges, who was napping on her couch. This impact left her with a severe bruise on her side and made her the first recorded human to be injured directly by a meteorite.
The incident attracted global attention, sparking debates over the ownership of the meteorite between Ann Hodges and her landlord. Eventually, Hodges retained ownership, though she later donated it to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, where it remains on display.
Hewlett Hodges, is examining the meteorite that hit his wife.
The Lorton Meteorite made headlines on January 18, 2010, when it crashed through the roof of a doctor’s office in Lorton, Virginia, USA. This rare impact happened during business hours, surprising staff and patients alike. The meteorite, weighing approximately 0.3 pounds (around 142 grams), tore through the roof, ceiling tiles, and insulation before landing on the floor.
Though small, the meteorite’s sudden arrival startled those in the building and caused minor property damage. Scientists quickly recognized the significance of this direct hit, and the Lorton Meteorite was later studied and preserved, adding to the list of documented cases where a meteorite directly struck a building.
The Benld Meteorite made its dramatic entrance on September 29, 1938, in the small town of Benld, Illinois, USA. This meteorite, weighing approximately 1.4 kilograms (about 3 pounds), crashed directly through the roof of a garage and struck a parked 1938 Pontiac automobile inside. The impact left a significant dent in the car and caused minor structural damage to the garage. The Benld Meteorite is one of the rare cases where a meteorite struck both a building and a vehicle, making it a particularly unique example of a "hammer stone." The damaged car and meteorite fragments attracted local curiosity and were preserved as artifacts of the unusual event.
The Golden Meteorite fell on October 4, 2021, in the town of Golden, British Columbia, Canada, with an impact that startled local residents. This meteorite struck a house, specifically puncturing the roof and landing on a bed where Ruth Hamilton, the homeowner, had been sleeping moments earlier. The impact, while relatively minor in terms of structural damage, could have been much more dangerous had Hamilton not shifted in her sleep just before the meteorite’s arrival.
The Golden Meteorite quickly became famous for this near-miss with a person inside a private home, adding to the rare instances of meteorites making direct contact with inhabited structures. The meteorite was later studied, and Hamilton decided to keep it as a unique keepsake.
A photo of the Golden Meteorite on the bed it landed on.
The Evensville Meteorite struck on August 1, 2007, in the small town of Evensville, Tennessee, USA. This meteorite made a direct hit on a house, piercing the roof and landing inside, causing minor structural damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The meteorite’s impact startled the residents, who initially thought it was a regular object falling from above, only to discover it was a rock from outer space.
The Monze Meteorite fall occurred on October 5, 1950, near the town of Monze in Zambia. This event involved several meteorite fragments that landed in the area, with at least one piece reportedly striking and killing a cow in a field. The impact left locals intrigued and somewhat unsettled, as it was rare for a meteorite to directly hit livestock, leading to tales and discussions about the unusual occurrence.
Despite many close calls, some of which are listed above there are no confirmed reports of a person being killed by a meteorite strike. There is a number of uncomfirmed historical reports of death by meteorite:
The "Iron Rain" meteorite event in Yunnan Province, China, reportedly took place around 1341 and remains one of the most dramatic unconfirmed accounts of a meteorite-induced disaster. Ancient Chinese records describe a catastrophic downpour of iron fragments that rained down on the region, killing both people and animals. This event, if true, would stand as one of the deadliest meteorite incidents in history, with the devastating impact causing severe casualties and damage.
In these records, the event is described as a massive explosion in the sky, resulting in iron fragments falling over a widespread area. The fallout reportedly led to hundreds of fatalities, both human and animal, as well as extensive destruction to local infrastructure. The phrase "iron rain" used in these accounts likely refers to the iron-rich fragments characteristic of some meteor showers, where pieces can survive atmospheric entry and impact the ground in significant numbers.
Though compelling, the "Iron Rain" event lacks physical evidence to fully confirm its occurrence, and no meteorite fragments have been found in the region. This story, however, illustrates the cultural and historical impact meteorite events have had across centuries and raises intriguing questions about other undocumented meteorite falls throughout history.
Illustration of the iron rain meteorite fall in China.
The story of the two sailors reportedly killed by a meteorite on the Dutch ship Malacca is one of the more dramatic and unusual accounts of human fatalities attributed to meteorite strikes. The event allegedly took place in the mid-19th century as the ship was sailing near the island of Sumatra. According to the tale, a meteorite descended rapidly from the sky, striking the vessel with devastating force.
The impact of the meteorite reportedly killed two sailors instantly, injuring others and causing structural damage to the ship. Accounts suggest that the meteorite may have penetrated the deck, startling the crew and leaving them shocked by the rare and violent encounter with a cosmic object. This incident would be one of the few documented cases of people dying from a direct meteorite strike.
However, like many historic meteorite stories, the event lacks substantial evidence, and details are scarce, leaving its authenticity uncertain. It remains part of meteorite lore as an extraordinary example of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of meteorite falls, especially when such a rare event unfolds on the open sea.
The 1888 possible meteorite death in the Ottoman Empire is one of the rare and intriguing historical cases suggesting a human fatality caused by a meteorite. According to archival records discovered in 2020, this event occurred on August 22, 1888, in what is now modern-day Iraq. The records, written by Ottoman officials, describe an intense meteorite shower that struck a rural village, causing widespread panic among residents. The impact reportedly resulted in the death of one person and the injury of another, as well as damage to local crops and property.
The incident is described in detail in Ottoman correspondence, including an official report to Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The records state that fireballs were seen falling from the sky, followed by a devastating explosion that led to at least one fatality. Researchers believe that this could be the first documented case of a human fatality due to a meteorite, making it a unique and historically significant account. While no physical meteorite fragments from the incident have been recovered to verify the event scientifically, the written accounts provide a rare and compelling historical narrative.
The destruction of the biblical city of Sodom has long intrigued historians, archaeologists, and scientists. Some researchers propose that a cosmic impact, such as a meteorite or airburst event, could explain the catastrophic destruction described in the Bible. The story of Sodom’s destruction, detailed in the Book of Genesis, describes fire, brimstone, and intense heat, leading to the complete obliteration of the city and surrounding area.
In recent years, scientists have investigated this possibility by examining archaeological sites believed to correspond to ancient Sodom. One significant site is Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan Valley, which shows evidence of sudden, intense destruction around 3,600 years ago. Excavations have revealed a layer of ash, melted pottery, and fractured stone, suggesting a massive, high-temperature event. Some scientists speculate that an airburst, similar to the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, could have caused this devastation. Such an event occurs when a meteorite or comet explodes in the atmosphere before reaching the ground, releasing enormous amounts of heat and energy.
Analysis of materials at Tall el-Hammam has found traces of shock-metamorphosed minerals and high-temperature chemicals, consistent with a high-energy impact. These findings suggest that a meteor or comet explosion could feasibly account for the ancient descriptions of fire and brimstone raining down on Sodom. While this hypothesis is not universally accepted and remains under investigation, it provides a scientifically plausible explanation for the ancient story, blending biblical narrative with evidence of a possible cosmic catastrophe.
The Mbale Meteorite Shower (1992)
The Mbale Meteorite Shower occurred on August 14, 1992, over the town of Mbale in Uganda. This event involved an ordinary chondrite meteorite that fragmented upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, scattering hundreds of small pieces across a wide area. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions as the meteor disintegrated, followed by fragments raining down from the sky.
One particularly memorable aspect of the Mbale event is that one of the meteorite fragments reportedly struck a young boy on the head, though, fortunately, it caused no injuries as the fragment was slowed by a tree canopy. The boy was unharmed, making this one of the rare instances where a meteorite made contact with a person without causing harm.
Young boy reportedly struck by a small meteorite during the M'Bale fall of 1992 in Uganda.
The Chicora Meteorite (1938)
The Chicora Meteorite fell on June 24, 1938, near the town of Chicora in Pennsylvania, USA. This meteorite, which initially broke up in the atmosphere, scattered fragments over a wide area. One of the larger fragments, estimated to weigh about 450 grams, struck a house, causing minor damage but leaving a lasting impact on the local community. Another piece reportedly hit a nearby chicken coop, adding to the mystique of the event.
The incident was well-documented for its time, drawing interest from scientists and the public alike. The recovered fragments have since been preserved and studied, with the Chicora Meteorite standing as one of the earlier recorded meteorites to hit a building in the United States.
The Peekskill Meteorite (1992)
The Peekskill Meteorite is one of the most famous meteorite events in modern history, occurring on October 9, 1992, in Peekskill, New York, USA. This meteorite, weighing approximately 27 pounds (12.4 kg), entered Earth’s atmosphere as a fireball visible across several states along the eastern U.S., lighting up the night sky in a spectacular display. After traveling at high speed, the meteorite struck a parked Chevrolet Malibu, creating a large dent in the car’s trunk and leaving burn marks around the impact site.
The event was particularly well-documented, with numerous witnesses capturing the fireball on camera. The car, along with the meteorite, became a piece of meteorite-collecting lore, and the damaged Chevrolet has since been exhibited at various events as a unique artifact.
The Chevy hit by the Peekskill Meteorite.
Monahans Meteorite (1998)
The Monahans Meteorite made a surprising impact on March 22, 1998, in the town of Monahans, Texas, USA. This meteorite fragment, weighing about 2.6 pounds (1.18 kilograms), landed in a public park, striking the pavement on a basketball court where several children had been playing moments earlier. The kids were quick to notice the hot, freshly fallen rock and took it to nearby adults, sparking immediate interest and caution as they realized it was a meteorite. Later analysis revealed traces of liquid water trapped in salt crystals within the meteorite, giving it significant scientific value as well. T
Novato Meteorite (2012)
The Novato Meteorite fell on October 17, 2012, in the city of Novato, California, USA. This meteorite, part of a larger fireball witnessed across the San Francisco Bay Area, broke up as it entered Earth’s atmosphere. One of the fragments, weighing about 60 grams, hit the roof of a private home, damaging the roof tiles and startling the residents. The homeowner discovered the small, charred rock and reported it to authorities, leading to a scientific investigation that confirmed it was indeed a meteorite.
Valera Meteorite (1972)
The Valera Meteorite fell on October 15, 1972, near the town of Valera in Trujillo, Venezuela. This meteorite is particularly memorable because it struck and reportedly killed a cow in a field, making it one of the rare instances of a meteorite directly impacting an animal. Witnesses found the animal with a small but fatal wound, and the meteorite fragment, weighing about 3.25 pounds (1.5 kilograms), was recovered nearby.
Hodges Meteorite (1954)
The Hodges Meteorite is an extraordinary and historically significant meteorite that fell on November 30, 1954, in Sylacauga, Alabama, USA. Weighing around 8.5 pounds (3.8 kg), this meteorite blasted through the roof of a house, then struck a wooden console radio before ultimately hitting Ann Hodges, who was napping on her couch. This impact left her with a severe bruise on her side and made her the first recorded human to be injured directly by a meteorite.
The incident attracted global attention, sparking debates over the ownership of the meteorite between Ann Hodges and her landlord. Eventually, Hodges retained ownership, though she later donated it to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, where it remains on display.
Hewlett Hodges, is examining the meteorite that hit his wife.
The Lorton Meteorite (2010)
The Lorton Meteorite made headlines on January 18, 2010, when it crashed through the roof of a doctor’s office in Lorton, Virginia, USA. This rare impact happened during business hours, surprising staff and patients alike. The meteorite, weighing approximately 0.3 pounds (around 142 grams), tore through the roof, ceiling tiles, and insulation before landing on the floor.
Though small, the meteorite’s sudden arrival startled those in the building and caused minor property damage. Scientists quickly recognized the significance of this direct hit, and the Lorton Meteorite was later studied and preserved, adding to the list of documented cases where a meteorite directly struck a building.
Benld Meteorite (1938)
The Benld Meteorite made its dramatic entrance on September 29, 1938, in the small town of Benld, Illinois, USA. This meteorite, weighing approximately 1.4 kilograms (about 3 pounds), crashed directly through the roof of a garage and struck a parked 1938 Pontiac automobile inside. The impact left a significant dent in the car and caused minor structural damage to the garage. The Benld Meteorite is one of the rare cases where a meteorite struck both a building and a vehicle, making it a particularly unique example of a "hammer stone." The damaged car and meteorite fragments attracted local curiosity and were preserved as artifacts of the unusual event.
Golden Meteorite (2017)
The Golden Meteorite fell on October 4, 2021, in the town of Golden, British Columbia, Canada, with an impact that startled local residents. This meteorite struck a house, specifically puncturing the roof and landing on a bed where Ruth Hamilton, the homeowner, had been sleeping moments earlier. The impact, while relatively minor in terms of structural damage, could have been much more dangerous had Hamilton not shifted in her sleep just before the meteorite’s arrival.
The Golden Meteorite quickly became famous for this near-miss with a person inside a private home, adding to the rare instances of meteorites making direct contact with inhabited structures. The meteorite was later studied, and Hamilton decided to keep it as a unique keepsake.
A photo of the Golden Meteorite on the bed it landed on.
Evensville Meteorite (2007)
The Evensville Meteorite struck on August 1, 2007, in the small town of Evensville, Tennessee, USA. This meteorite made a direct hit on a house, piercing the roof and landing inside, causing minor structural damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The meteorite’s impact startled the residents, who initially thought it was a regular object falling from above, only to discover it was a rock from outer space.
Monze Meteorite (1950)
The Monze Meteorite fall occurred on October 5, 1950, near the town of Monze in Zambia. This event involved several meteorite fragments that landed in the area, with at least one piece reportedly striking and killing a cow in a field. The impact left locals intrigued and somewhat unsettled, as it was rare for a meteorite to directly hit livestock, leading to tales and discussions about the unusual occurrence.
Has A Meteorite Ever Killed A Person?
Despite many close calls, some of which are listed above there are no confirmed reports of a person being killed by a meteorite strike. There is a number of uncomfirmed historical reports of death by meteorite:
The "Iron Rain" Meteorite Fall Over Yunnan Province, China (~1341)
The "Iron Rain" meteorite event in Yunnan Province, China, reportedly took place around 1341 and remains one of the most dramatic unconfirmed accounts of a meteorite-induced disaster. Ancient Chinese records describe a catastrophic downpour of iron fragments that rained down on the region, killing both people and animals. This event, if true, would stand as one of the deadliest meteorite incidents in history, with the devastating impact causing severe casualties and damage.
In these records, the event is described as a massive explosion in the sky, resulting in iron fragments falling over a widespread area. The fallout reportedly led to hundreds of fatalities, both human and animal, as well as extensive destruction to local infrastructure. The phrase "iron rain" used in these accounts likely refers to the iron-rich fragments characteristic of some meteor showers, where pieces can survive atmospheric entry and impact the ground in significant numbers.
Though compelling, the "Iron Rain" event lacks physical evidence to fully confirm its occurrence, and no meteorite fragments have been found in the region. This story, however, illustrates the cultural and historical impact meteorite events have had across centuries and raises intriguing questions about other undocumented meteorite falls throughout history.
Illustration of the iron rain meteorite fall in China.
Two sailors killed on the Dutch ship Malacca (1648)
The story of the two sailors reportedly killed by a meteorite on the Dutch ship Malacca is one of the more dramatic and unusual accounts of human fatalities attributed to meteorite strikes. The event allegedly took place in the mid-19th century as the ship was sailing near the island of Sumatra. According to the tale, a meteorite descended rapidly from the sky, striking the vessel with devastating force.
The impact of the meteorite reportedly killed two sailors instantly, injuring others and causing structural damage to the ship. Accounts suggest that the meteorite may have penetrated the deck, startling the crew and leaving them shocked by the rare and violent encounter with a cosmic object. This incident would be one of the few documented cases of people dying from a direct meteorite strike.
However, like many historic meteorite stories, the event lacks substantial evidence, and details are scarce, leaving its authenticity uncertain. It remains part of meteorite lore as an extraordinary example of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of meteorite falls, especially when such a rare event unfolds on the open sea.
Possible Meteorite Death In Ottoman Empre (1888)
The 1888 possible meteorite death in the Ottoman Empire is one of the rare and intriguing historical cases suggesting a human fatality caused by a meteorite. According to archival records discovered in 2020, this event occurred on August 22, 1888, in what is now modern-day Iraq. The records, written by Ottoman officials, describe an intense meteorite shower that struck a rural village, causing widespread panic among residents. The impact reportedly resulted in the death of one person and the injury of another, as well as damage to local crops and property.
The incident is described in detail in Ottoman correspondence, including an official report to Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The records state that fireballs were seen falling from the sky, followed by a devastating explosion that led to at least one fatality. Researchers believe that this could be the first documented case of a human fatality due to a meteorite, making it a unique and historically significant account. While no physical meteorite fragments from the incident have been recovered to verify the event scientifically, the written accounts provide a rare and compelling historical narrative.
Was The Biblical City Of Sodam Destroyed By A Meteorite?
The destruction of the biblical city of Sodom has long intrigued historians, archaeologists, and scientists. Some researchers propose that a cosmic impact, such as a meteorite or airburst event, could explain the catastrophic destruction described in the Bible. The story of Sodom’s destruction, detailed in the Book of Genesis, describes fire, brimstone, and intense heat, leading to the complete obliteration of the city and surrounding area.
In recent years, scientists have investigated this possibility by examining archaeological sites believed to correspond to ancient Sodom. One significant site is Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan Valley, which shows evidence of sudden, intense destruction around 3,600 years ago. Excavations have revealed a layer of ash, melted pottery, and fractured stone, suggesting a massive, high-temperature event. Some scientists speculate that an airburst, similar to the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia, could have caused this devastation. Such an event occurs when a meteorite or comet explodes in the atmosphere before reaching the ground, releasing enormous amounts of heat and energy.
Analysis of materials at Tall el-Hammam has found traces of shock-metamorphosed minerals and high-temperature chemicals, consistent with a high-energy impact. These findings suggest that a meteor or comet explosion could feasibly account for the ancient descriptions of fire and brimstone raining down on Sodom. While this hypothesis is not universally accepted and remains under investigation, it provides a scientifically plausible explanation for the ancient story, blending biblical narrative with evidence of a possible cosmic catastrophe.
