The world's second largest meteorite found?

A meteorite weighing 30 tonnes was found in Argentina last week by a team of scientists from Astronomy Association of Chaco. "It was a big surprise," said Mario Vesconi, president of the Astronomy Association of Chaco. "The meteorite was buried at a depth of 5 meters (16.4 ft) and has a width of almost 2 meters (6.6 ft)."

Gancedo meteorite, a 30.8 tonnes meteorite found in Campo del Cielo, Argentine and potentially become the second world's largest meteorite ever found. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dzYOO)

He added that the meteorite, named 'Gancedo meteorite' has a weight of 30,800 kilograms (67,900 lbs). But the team said it would remeasured for an official confirmation later.

This meteorite was found in the town of Gancedo, located in an area known as Campo del Cielo, or which when translated means "Sky Field" or "Field of Heaven". The area is actually located on the borders between the provinces of Chaco and Santiago del Estero, northwest of Buenos Aires.

This site had been covered by a crater formed by an iron meteor shower between 4,200 to 4,700 years ago. The largest of these craters is 115 by 91 meters (377 by 298 ft). Many local media described the findings as the second largest meteorite ever found, although these reports can not be confirmed.

The world's largest meteorite, the Hoba meteorite, is a 50 tonnes heavy solid alloy of iron (82%), nickel (16%), cobalt and others; in Grootfontein, Namibia. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1dzZEY)

As we all knew, the largest meteorite ever can be found in Namibia. Known as the 'Hoba'. The weight of the meteorite up to 50 tonnes, and is thought to hit Earth about 80,000 years ago.

The potential value generated from the meteorite itself has not been discussed. However, local politicians Livio Gutierrez in his speech to the residents in the Campo del Cielo, said that the findings would be a new step in science. Not only that, the location of the findings it will potentially boost the area's tourism.
The meteorite is estimated to have a value of approximately $10 - $12 million. As an effort to avoid looting there, Vesconi said that he along with his research team will stay at the site to look for other meteorites similar in size to Gancedo. "We want to move forward because there is much more still to take," he said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IFLSCIENCE]

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