In 1856, a massive meteorite was discovered in the mountains of southwestern Oregon. But despite hundreds of recovery attempts by geologists and amateur explorers, the meteorite evaded capture for well over a century. This video explores the story of the infamous Port Orford Meteorite, and the fascinating investigation that finally solved the mystery after 130 years.
Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
3:06 – Early Search Efforts
8:36 – Raising Doubts
15:24 – Analyzing Evans
21:36 – Identifying the Meteorite
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This video is for educational purposes and is distributed for non-commercial use. It is not monetized or sponsored. All video footage, images and audio recordings are the property of their original owners and are used in accordance with Fair Use principles.
If you’re feeling generous, tips are always appreciated: https://ko-fi.com/peterdibble
Music:
“The Appalachian Trail” by Hunter Quinn
https://open.spotify.com/track/1WYSzWGFN5r7vs0j1bDf3y?si=da8189893d744df6
“Wish You Were There” by Golden Age Radio
https://open.spotify.com/track/1hBQ67g76ttDxP0IZwEX4p?si=45d6c904363c4387
“Parkside Lane” by Oakwood Station
https://open.spotify.com/track/1bpe8UhxG2hkSUkjxWjxh1?si=6ba20903a2934e02
“Thoughts Revoked” by Kikoru
https://open.spotify.com/track/0s5ycTOMITIEPmcLwrLRYU?si=c690100230114a1d
“Are We the Same” by Kikoru
https://open.spotify.com/track/3tueungnRoiN6OzzXXwNP0?si=70d6ec970d354cb8
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Scientific Reports
Overview by J. Hugh Pruett (1950)
https://archive.org/details/sim_popular-astronomy_1950-10_58_8/page/402/mode/2up
Critical analysis by Edward Henderson & Hollis Dole (1964)
https://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/og/OBv26all.pdf
Historical investigation by Howard Plotkin and geological analysis by Vagn Buchwald & Roy Clarke (1993)
https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/818
source
This was my first documentary funded by viewer donations! Thanks so much for the support, everyone. You're truly helping make these projects possible, and the next one is already on the way. https://ko-fi.com/peterdibble
So to break down this "scientific specimen" is a scam, why I never, skullduggery in the name of science 🔭🧪🤔. Dare I say fake science!!!🙏😵💫
This is one of the best little documentaries I've seen for a while. Thank you Peter!
But then again, it was much ado about nothing.
Isn't it odd that the U of O has a fake mockup of that space rock on their campus.
So ripping of the taxpayer has been a thing all along. Hmm…
What a SHISTER !!
94 percent of recovered meteorites are found within the first 72 hours…
Evans, you sir, were a miscreant! lol I like the footage of the cowboys and cowgirls dancing near the end. Made me laugh after all that serious fact finding. What a great historical video. Your production skills are top notch!
Three trips from the east cost to the west coast in 1850. That's tough. If meteorite was sticking five ft. out of the ground it wasn't a meteorite. Even a "little" meteor @ 10 tons would have blown a big hole in the ground, saying it could somehow stayed intact during the decent. They worked with what they knew back in those days and they were abundantly short of knowledge (a little joke). I knew this before I saw the end of the vid. Great, well researched history. Good job.
Of course, that doesn't mean a meteor has never exploded over the region. Get out there and look. Now there IS a big meteor in the NW but it got moved by a glacier there a few million yrs. ago. That's what I heard.
I love this story… it’s crazy to me that one guy managed to keep this going for over 100 years! I bet there are still people out there looking for it though, hoax or no hoax, because that’s just how some people are!
Rep OR
All the people who were searching for the meteorite are now making videos of bigfoot and posting them on Tik Tok.
Hoaxes and scams are like that, they can take decades of investigation and scholarly research to unravel.
I am absolutely…… FLOORED that nobody compared this sample to the other known samples for so long.
As a musician, not only do i enjoy the content of your videos, i really love the music. The pairing of the 2 factors is excellent.
Great story. Thanks!
Are you related to Dr Bernie Dibble?
I love Oregon.
Thank you this was interesting
You cant have a meteorite that size without a massive crater to go with it. Its physically impossible. It wouldnt be buried half way into a hillside.
Even a 12' diameter meteorite would leave a huge crater on impact. This supposed size would have left obvious evidence to which there is none. An obvious hoax.
The human spirit is driven by the thrill of the search. That's is a great quote.
Your channel is absolute gold!
I feel incredibly lucky to be a resident of Oregon at the same time that you’re doing your work. If you can dig deep into the state of Jefferson we SoOr /NorCal locals would LOVE it.
Thank you for your consideration and talent!
Early example of a grifter taking advantage of government grants.
Hmmmm I'm sure a lot of space junk has hit our planet since time has elapsed!
I enjoy the fairy tale of how a meteorite hits the earth and selectively kills only the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
Yup, those who fail then look for someone else to blame/smear…typical. At the end of the day, who actually found the rare meteorite? That's right….Evans. At 20:51 for example, notice the two texts, where the first is a his actual word, the second is just someones (later) assumption. Not only does this draw a red flag, but the whole thing intuitively does as well.
George Costanza to Jerry:
“A Marine Biologist? Why didn’t you tell her that I was a Geologist? You know that I have always wanted to pretend to be a Geologist.”
It's interesting what the benefits of careful study and hindsight can produce.
Many mining claims in area of Cow Creek,pallasite samples on display at mining business in Grants Pass,Oregon…
Humans know nothing more than destroying, caging, keeping, and taking. I look forward to the day the planet stands up and shakes man off her back.