Gifu Meteorite Quick Facts
- Name: Gifu
- Year Discovered: 1909
- Approximate Recovery Location: Mino, Mino, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
- Precise Recovery Location: (35.53333, 136.88333)
- Mass: 14290 grams
- Classification: L6
- Discovery Type: fall
- Condition: Valid
More Details About the Gifu Meteorite
The Gifu meteorite was discovered in 1909. It was recovered in Mino, Mino, Gifu Prefecture, Japan (35.53333, 136.88333). It has a mass of 14290 grams.
Gifu is considered a “Valid” meteorite. “Valid” meteorites are typical meteorites with average weathering, while “relict” meteorites are those that have been extremely altered, either due to weathering over time or human intervention.
Gifu’s official classification is L6. The “L6” classification signifies a low-iron ordinary chondrite from the L group, characterized by a specific range of oxygen isotopes and moderate-sized chondrules. This type 6 meteorite has undergone extensive metamorphism, leading to uniform mineral composition, transformation of pyroxene types, and larger secondary minerals, while maintaining the original chondrule shapes without melting.
The Gifu meteorite is a “fall” meteorite. Meteorites are classified as “falls” if they were observed falling and recovered, while “finds” are those discovered later, often weathered by longer exposure to Earth’s environment and without a record of being seen as they fell.
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Last Updated: 12/29/23