Sokoto        13°0.3’N, 5°14.85’E

Sokoto, Nigeria

Confirmed fall: 10 Jan 2008

Classification: Iron meteorite (IIIAB)

History: According to a newspaper report (THISDAY, January 11, 2008), a meteorite fell after a loud explosion and fireball at approximately 10:00 pm local time (2100h UTC) on 10 Jan 2008. The meteorite reportedly destroyed the roof of the house of Malam Bello Mohammed, in Mana Village, South Sokoto Local Government Council (on the outskirts of the city of Sokoto), and was found almost 2 m deep in the ground. The main mass reportedly weighs approximately 30 kg, and was broken into pieces with a hammer. A 240 g specimen was secured by Nigerian resident Eugene Egbe, who provided it to Twelker. Other pieces are reportedly with the Geological Survey Laboratory in Kaduna.

Physical characteristics: The meteorite is irregularly shaped, with deep regmaglypts, and a red-brown exterior.

Petrography: (C. Herd, UAb) Optical investigation of a ~2 × 3 cm polished and etched surface reveals a well-developed Widmanstatten pattern consistent with a medium octahedrite (0.9±0.2 mm; n=22). No obvious inclusions were noted. Terrestrial alteration has occured along fractures connecting to the exterior.

Geochemistry: ICP-MS data, using sample of North Chile (Filomena) as standard (C. Herd and G. Chen UAb): Ni = 8.6, Co = 0.51 (both wt%); Ir = 1.7, Ge = 41, As = 16.8, W = 1.1, Re = 0.16, Pt = 6.8, Cu = 158, Au = 1.6 (all μg/g).

Classification: (C. Herd, UAb): IIIAB iron, through comparison of bulk composition with data from Wasson and Richardson (2001).

Specimens: Type specimen consisting of one representative slice (21.9 g) at UAb. A 240 g mass with Twelker.