Details: Written by: Automater; Category: 360 Google Map

Asteroid Impacts from around the world so large that they do not appear as such from first glance

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Barringer Crater

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Meteor Crater Rd, Winslow, AZ 86047, United States

Barringer Crater

The crater averages about 875 metres (2,871 ft) in diameter, 60 metres (200 ft) from rim to present crater floor and it is estimated that the meteorite that formed it had a mass of about 50,000 tonnes, while the age is estimated to be less than 300,000 years (Pleistocene).

Link Location Gps -111.021146

GPS Location Directions 35.0321004,-111.021146

Small numbers of iron meteorites have been found in the vicinity of the crater, as well as larger so-called 'shale-balls', rounded objects made of iron oxide, some weighing as much as 250 kg. It was brought to the attention of scientists after being spotted during an aerial survey in 1947, investigated on the ground two months later, and reported in publication in 1949. The European name for the crater comes from a nearby creek, which was in turn named after Robert Wolfe (early reports misspell the name as Wolf Creek), a prospector and storekeeper during the gold rush that established the town of Halls Creek.

Kaali Crater

Link Location Gps -19.1723151

GPS Location Directions -19.1723151,127.79564

The Kaali Crater was created by a meteorite that reached the earth somewhere between the 4th and 8th century BC. At an altitude of about 5-10 km, the meteorite broke into pieces and fell to the Earth in fragments. The largest crater is about 110 meters wide and 22 meters deep. Within a 1 kilometer radius of the main crater lie 8 smaller craters that were created during this bombardment. The entire forest of the Estonian island of Saaremaa most likely burned down as a result of the impact. The crater is part of many Estonian myths and stories. It is even possible that Saaremaa was the legendary Thule island, whereas the name “Thule” could have been connected to the Finnish word tule (“of fire”).

Link Location Gps 58.3724494

GPS Location Directions 58.3724494,22.6697826

The Tswaing Crater was created by a chondrite or stony meteorite, some 30 to 50 meter in diameter, that hit the earth about 220,000 years ago. In the center of the crater is a small lake which is filled by a spring and rainwater. Stone tools from the stone age show that the crater was regularly visited by people in order to hunt and collect salt. European settlers named the region Zoutpan (Salt Pan) while the local Tswana tribes call the region Tswaing which means “Place of Salt”.

Link Location Gps -25.4077865

GPS Location Directions -25.4077865,28.0818107

The Lonar Lake in Maharashtra, was formed about 50,000 years ago when a meteorite hit the surface. The saltwater lake that evolved in the resulting basaltic rock formation has a mean diameter of 1.2 kilometers (3,900 feet) and is about 137 meters (449 feet) below the crater rim. Numerous temples surround the lake, most of which are in ruins, except for a temple of Daitya Sudan, at the center of the Lonar town, which was built in honor of Vishnu’s victory over the giant Lonasur. The crater itself is a fun trek and the surrounding vegetation is a treat for birdwatchers.

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