Morocco has emerged as the premier destination for meteorite hunters, with over a thousand recognized falls and finds since 1999. The country’s unique combination of geography, climate, and legal environment has made it an ideal location for meteorite collection.
Morocco has become the go-to destination for meteorite hunters, with over a thousand officially recognized falls and finds since 1999. This phenomenon is often referred to as the ‘Saharan Gold Rush‘. The country’s unique combination of geography, climate, and legal environment has made it an ideal location for meteorite collection.
A meteorite is a piece of a meteoroid that has entered Earth's atmosphere and survived its passage to land on the surface.
Meteoroids are small rocky or metallic objects floating in space, while meteorites are fragments of asteroids or other celestial bodies that have broken apart due to collisions or other catastrophic events.
The largest known meteorite is the Hoba meteorite, weighing over 66 tons.
Most meteorites are composed of iron and nickel, but some contain silicate minerals.
Several factors have contributed to Morocco’s success in meteorite hunting. Firstly, the Sahara Desert provides a vast expanse of open terrain where dark fusion crust exteriors stand out against the sand. This makes it easier to spot meteorites that have fallen from space. Secondly, Morocco already had an established network of Western fossil, mineral, and archaeological hunters and dealers, who were joined by many Moroccans with expertise in searching for rocks and artifacts in the desert.
The lack of dedicated regulation in Morocco allowed meteorite hunters to operate freely, often without proper documentation or verification. This led to a surge in exports, with many meteorites being sold abroad at low prices before being formally analyzed and resold for profit.
Professor Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane, a leading figure in the field of meteorite research, has been fighting to raise awareness about the need for regulation and proper documentation. She believes that it is unfair that most Moroccan meteorites are exported without any benefit to the country. Her dream is to establish a permanent national collection of Moroccan meteorites.
While the Saharan Gold Rush may be over, its legacy continues to shape Morocco’s meteorite hunting scene. Local finders are now demanding fairer compensation for their finds, and dealers are paying more attention to the quality and provenance of the meteorites they purchase. The country is slowly taking charge of its own meteorites, with a growing number of national scientific institutions and laboratories emerging.
The rise of Morocco as a meteorite hunting capital has also led to increased cooperation between local scientists and international researchers. Professor Chennaoui’s efforts to promote education and awareness about Moroccan meteorites have been successful, with over 17,000 visitors attending her travelling exhibition in Casablanca.
As the world continues to explore the mysteries of space, Morocco’s unique combination of geography, climate, and legal environment has made it an essential location for meteorite research. While the Saharan Gold Rush may be over, its impact on Morocco will be felt for generations to come.
