Gold Basin - L4 Ordinary Chondrite

Gold Basin is a well-known L4 Ordinary Chondrite meteorite from Mohave County, Arizona, USA, first found on 24 November 1995. It was discovered in an area of arroyos draining the White Hills while prospecting with a metal detector, and later recoveries established it as one of the most important American meteorite strewn fields. As an L Chondrite, Gold Basin has lower metallic iron than H Chondrites, while its type 4 classification indicates moderate thermal metamorphism that has preserved many original Chondritic features.

Gold Basin specimens typically show a weathered brown exterior from long exposure in the Arizona desert, with interiors that can reveal chondrules, metal grains, and brecciated L Chondrite material. Many pieces have natural desert-polished surfaces, remnant fusion crust, or wind-worn textures, while cut sections display the internal structure more clearly. Studies indicate that Gold Basin has a terrestrial age of around 15,000 years, making it an ancient fall sometimes described as a ‘fossil’ meteorite field.

Studying Gold Basin provides insight into Ordinary Chondrite parent bodies, atmospheric fragmentation, and long-term preservation of meteorites in desert environments. Its large strewn field, Arizona provenance, and extensive recovery history make it especially important among USA meteorites. For collectors, Gold Basin offers a classic American Chondrite with strong display value, accessible specimen types, and a direct connection to early solar system material formed over 4.5 billion years ago.