Early Tuesday a bright meteor broke apart over Valley City in Northeast Ohio, producing a sonic boom and an energy release estimated at about 250 tons of TNT. NASA says the object was roughly 6 feet across and about 7 tons before it fragmented, and searches are underway in southern Medina County for any debris. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources records just 14 confirmed meteorite finds in the state — from prehistoric specimens to recoveries as recent as 1990 — and the full ODNR list is provided below.
Meteor Explodes Over Valley City: Could Fragments Have Fallen In Medina County? Ohio's 14 Confirmed Meteorites Listed
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Early Tuesday morning a bright meteor streaked across the sky above Northeast Ohio, producing a flash and a loud sonic boom that shook homes. NASA estimates the incoming object was roughly 6 feet across and weighed about 7 tons before it broke apart over Valley City, possibly scattering fragments across southern Medina County.
What Happened
NASA scientists say the breakup released energy equivalent to about 250 tons of TNT, creating a pressure wave that startled residents across the region. Local authorities, volunteers and state experts are searching for any debris, but no confirmed recoveries have been announced.
Why This Matters
Recovering meteorite fragments helps scientists study the solar system's history and composition. However, confirmed meteorite finds are uncommon — the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) lists only 14 verified meteorites for the entire state, with discoveries ranging from prehistoric finds to recoveries in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Ohio's 14 Confirmed Meteorites (ODNR Records)
Below are the 14 meteorites officially recorded by the ODNR. Each entry shows name, county, date or approximate discovery period, total mass recovered and meteorite class.
- Anderson (Turner Mounds)
County: Hamilton
Date: Prehistoric
Total Mass Recovered: 0.85 kg
Class: Stony-Iron - Cincinnati
County: Hamilton
Date: 1870
Total Mass Recovered: 1–2 kg
Class: Iron - Dayton
County: Montgomery
Date: 1892
Total Mass Recovered: 26.3 kg
Class: Iron - Enon
County: Clark
Date: Around 1883
Total Mass Recovered: 0.76 kg
Class: Stony-Iron - Fairfield
County: Butler
Date: 1974
Total Mass Recovered: 1.6 kg
Class: Iron - Gahanna
County: Franklin
Date: 1950
Total Mass Recovered: 1.2 kg
Class: Iron - Hopewell Mounds
County: Ross
Date: Prehistoric
Total Mass Recovered: 0.13 kg
Class: Stony-Iron - Kossuth
County: Auglaize
Date: 1975
Total Mass Recovered: 5.9 kg
Class: Iron - New Concord
County: Muskingum/Guernsey
Date: 1860
Total Mass Recovered: 227 kg (largest Ohio recovery)
Class: Stony - New Westville
County: Preble
Date: 1941
Total Mass Recovered: 4.8 kg
Class: Iron - Powellsville
County: Scioto
Date: 1990
Total Mass Recovered: 4.31 kg
Class: Stony - Pricetown
County: Highland
Date: 1893
Total Mass Recovered: 0.9 kg
Class: Stony - Tarlton
County: Fairfield
Date: 1967
Total Mass Recovered: 0.227 kg
Class: Stony - Wooster
County: Wayne
Date: 1858
Total Mass Recovered: 22.5 kg
Class: Iron
What To Do If You Think You Found A Meteorite
If you believe you've found a meteorite, avoid cleaning or altering it. Note the exact location and contact local authorities, a nearby university geology department, or the ODNR for guidance on verification and safe handling. Meteorites are scientifically valuable and should be documented properly.
Note: This report relies on preliminary NASA estimates and ODNR historical records. Official confirmations of any new finds will come from scientific analysis and state authorities.
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