Meteorite Hunters Search Ohio for Fragments After 7-Ton Fireball Explodes Over Valley City
A 7-ton meteor exploded over Valley City, Ohio, on March 17, 2026, prompting meteorite hunters to search for fragments in the area.
On March 17, 2026, a 7-ton meteor entered Earth's atmosphere at approximately 8:57 a.m. EDT, traveling at 45,000 mph before disintegrating over Valley City, Ohio. The explosion, equivalent to 250 tons of TNT, produced a bright fireball visible from Wisconsin to Maryland and generated a sonic boom that rattled buildings across multiple counties.
Following the event, meteorite hunters have converged on the area in search of fragments. Local resident December Harris and her cousin discovered a black, triangular rock with a melted texture near their home, which they suspect to be a meteorite.
Meteorite collector Roberto Vargas traveled from Connecticut and successfully found two fragments, one of which he described as museum-quality. He and other hunters believe larger pieces may still be undiscovered.
The National Weather Service confirmed the meteor's passage, noting that while it did not reach the ground intact, the resulting shock wave produced the explosive sound heard across the region.
Experts suggest that meteors of this size are rare but not unheard of, with smaller space objects entering Earth's atmosphere more frequently.