Part of the "Chelyabinsk" meteorite was recovered from a nearby lake on Wednesday and brought to shore.

Russian scientists overseeing the divers had a steelyard balance ready to measure the meteorite. The 570-kilogram chunk subsequently broke the scale and, itself, crumbled into pieces.

Experts must now verify the origins of the finding from Chebarkul Lake, which lies roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of the southern Ural town.

The meteorite shower on February 7 over Chelyabinsk - just north of Kazahkstan - left at least 1,200 injured and reportedly damaged a number of buildings. Media reports estimated the shock wave from the meteor was as strong as roughly 20 nuclear bombs.

kms/dr (AFP, AP)