Meteorite strikes Cockburn Island

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Meteorite strikes Cockburn Island

A rare meteorite struck Cockburn Island—Canada's first major fall in 18 years. Experts say fragments landed, but private property rules hinder searches.

Tom Sasvari

Jul 02, 2026 - 7 min read

A state-side porch camera captures the celestial event. — Nathan Posaski, MI

Meteorite strikes Cockburn Island — A state-side porch camera captures the celestial event. — Nathan Posaski, MI

First Canadian meteor land site in 18 years

COCKBURN ISLAND—Those who heard or got a glimpse of a meteorite that hit land on Cockburn Island were bewildered at first as to what they were seeing and shocked by the fact that a meteorite landed in a close-to-home location with the last major sighting being 18 years ago.

“It occurred on Friday night, June 19. I was in our living room, which has tall windows, and saw a flash of light (of the fireball) through the window, and then another,” said Brent St. Denis, of Walford. “It apparently landed on the northeast section of Cockburn Island.”

Robin Anderson was at the family cottage on Cockburn when the meteorite hit. “We were on vacation and Erik (her husband) and I had settled in to watch television while Archie, our young son, was asleep. We felt a big thump that shook the cottage for about 5-7 seconds. We thought maybe blasting was taking place at Lafarge across the straits.”