Tissint is one of the most important witnessed falls of Martian meteorites in modern times. The fall occurred in July 2011 in Morocco, producing a large number of fragments that were rapidly recovered, allowing exceptional preservation of their original extraterrestrial features.
Classified as a basaltic shergottite, Tissint originated from volcanic rocks formed on the surface of Mars. Its fresh state has made it a cornerstone specimen for planetary science, enabling detailed studies of Martian magmatic processes, shock effects, and volatile components that are often altered or lost in older finds.
Tissint meteorites are particularly noted for their well-developed fusion crusts, frequent regmaglyptes, and, in some cases, flow line patterns that record dynamic ablation during atmospheric entry. These external features, combined with the meteorite’s pristine condition, make Tissint specimens especially valuable for both scientific study and display.
Despite the large number of fragments recovered (mostly small, 7kg in total), intact stones of significant mass are uncommon, as many pieces fragmented violently upon impact. As a result, complete specimens preserving their original morphology are of particular interest and rarity.
