Mathilde is very dark, with an albedo comparable to fresh asphalt, and is thought to share the same composition as CI1 or CM2 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, with a surface dominated by phyllosilicate minerals. The asteroid has a number of extremely large craters, with the individual craters being named for coal fields and basins around the world. The two largest craters, Ishikari (29.3 km) and Karoo (33.4 km), are as wide as the asteroid's average radius. The impacts appear to have spalled large volumes off the asteroid, as suggested by the angular edges of the craters. Uniformity in brightness and colour were visible in the craters and there was no appearance of layering, so the asteroid's interior must be very homogeneous. There are indications of material movement along the downslope direction.
Mathilde is very dark with an albedo comparable to fresh asphalt and is thought to share the same composition as CI1 or CM2 carbonaceous chondrite meteorites with a surface dominated by phyllosilicate minerals The asteroid has a number of extremely large craters with the individual craters being named for coal fields and basins around the world The two largest craters Ishikari (293 km) and Karoo (334 km) are as wide as the asteroid's average radius The impacts appear to have spalled large volumes off the asteroid as suggested by the angular edges of the craters Uniformity in brightness and colour were visible in the craters and there was no appearance of layering so the asteroid's interior must be very homogeneous There are indications of material movement along the downslope direction