In 1854 an unknown individual, possibly a farmer ploughing a field, discovered a meteorite known as the Madoc Meteorite (MM). It is known to have landed in the southwest corner of Madoc Township just west of that town. The MM weighed in at 167.8 kilograms (369.9 lbs.) with an approximate diameter of 50 cm or 19.7 inches. However, after some fragments were sliced off for research purposes the MM presently weighs 156 kilograms (343.9 lbs.)
Madoc meteorite
William Logan discovered the meteorite holding up the corner of a barn. Recognizing the meteorite for what it was Logan offered to exchange it for a “good square stone”. Logan moved the MM to the Survey’s museum in Montreal. Chemist T. Sterry Hunt examined the MM and determined it was an alloy of iron with about 6% nickel. It was acquired by the Geological Survey of Canada and included in Canada’s display of mineral resources at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855.
Acquisition of the MM inspired the beginning of the National Meteorite Collection of Canada. Presently the museum is home to samples from 1100 meteorites including 52 of the 62 known Canadian meteorites. The MM is one of the largest and heaviest meteorites in Canada. The only larger meteorites discovered in Canada were at Bruderheim, Alberta, weighing in at 303 kilograms (668 lbs.) and Iron Creek, Alberta, 175 kilograms or 385 pounds. The largest meteorite to date weighs about 60 metric tonnes (132,277 lbs.). It was discovered at Hoba West, a farm near Grootfontein, Namibia.
According to one source, the Geological Survey of Canada office in Ottawa is the main home of the MM that periodically travels for display. Speculation is that it was on the ground for a long time as it is covered with a film of oxidation and the first few centimetres below its surface have been altered by the earth’s atmosphere. They are only called meteorites after surviving the fall through Earth’s atmosphere before hitting the planet. As streaks of bright light they are known as meteoroids.
Rarely someone is struck by a meteorite. It is estimated that one person will be hit every seven to fourteen years; one fatality every 52 years. In 1907 an entire family in China apparently died when a meteorite destroyed their house. In Sylacauga, Alabama Ann Hodges was struck by a softball–sized rock that crashed through the roof of her house in 1954. Apparently it ricocheted off a radio and struck Hodges on her left thigh while napping on her couch leaving a large dark bruise. Michael Reynolds, Florida State astronomer and meteorite expert commented, “Think of how many people have lived throughout human history. You’d have a better chance of getting hit by a tornado and a bolt of lightning and a hurricane all at the same time.” But, not survive!
