Ames

Ames Crater

Ames crater is a significant buried meteorite impact structure, also known as an astrobleme, located in Major County, Oklahoma, United States. The structure is situated near the center of the town of Ames, Oklahoma, and lies approximately 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Enid. Its substantial geological and economic importance stems from its discovery in 1991 and the subsequent finding of large oil and gas reserves within its boundaries.

Crater Description and Discovery

The Ames crater measures 10 miles (16 km) in diameter and is estimated to be 470 ± 30 million years old, dating back to the Ordovician period. At the time of impact, the region was covered by a shallow sea. The impact event created immense pressure, causing a slight recoil of the meteorite and an uplifted center. Over eons, sediment layers were deposited, and geological movements tilted the formation, ultimately burying the crater deep beneath the surface. It remained undiscovered until 1991 when Rex Olson, an exploration manager for Continental Resources, identified an anomaly resembling a hoof print in seismic data.

Economic Significance

The crater is concealed under approximately 9,000 feet (2,700 m) of sediment, making it invisible from the surface. Prior to its discovery, many geologists doubted that impact craters could harbor significant petroleum deposits. However, Continental Resources drilled deep into the structure, striking oil at a depth of 10,000 feet (3,000 m). The impact penetrated the Arbuckle Dolomite, fracturing the rock and making vast quantities of oil and gas accessible. Since its discovery, at least 60 wells have been drilled in the Ames Crater area. As of 2007, it was reported to have produced over 17.4 million barrels of oil and 79.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas, establishing it as one of the largest among six producing astroblemes in the United States.