Boxhole
Boxhole is a young impact crater located in the Northern Territory, Australia, approximately 180 km northeast of Alice Springs. Discovered in 1937, it is a Holocene-era impact event, estimated to be around 5,400 years old. The crater is notable for being the second impact structure described in Australia and for the discovery of nickel-bearing metallic fragments and an 82 kg iron mass.
Key Facts
Henbury Impact Structure
Nickel-Bearing Metallic Fragments, Iron Shale-Balls, Meteoritic Metal
About Boxhole
Boxhole Impact Crater
Boxhole is a relatively young impact crater situated in the Northern Territory of Australia, located about 180 kilometers northeast of Alice Springs. The crater spans 170 meters in diameter and is estimated to have formed approximately 5,400 years ago, placing its impact event within the Holocene epoch. It is of particular note as the second impact crater to be scientifically described in Australia, following the Henbury crater to the south.
Discovery and Geological Interest
The Boxhole crater was first brought to scientific attention in 1937 when Joe Webb, a shearer from the local Boxhole sheep station, guided geologist Cecil Madigan to the site. Madigan's examination revealed the presence of nickel-bearing metallic fragments and iron shale-balls, characteristics similar to those found at the Henbury site. Subsequent investigations yielded further meteoritic metal, including a significant iron mass weighing 82 kilograms. This mass is now preserved at the Natural History Museum in London, underscoring the scientific importance of the Boxhole impact event and its associated materials.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Boxhole impact crater located?
The Boxhole impact crater is situated in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is found approximately 180 kilometers northeast of Alice Springs.
How old is the Boxhole impact crater?
The age of the Boxhole impact crater is estimated to be around 5,400 years, with a margin of error of 1,500 years. This places the impact event within the Holocene epoch.
What was found at the Boxhole impact crater site?
Geologist Cecil Madigan discovered nickel-bearing metallic fragments and iron shale-balls at the Boxhole site. A later search also uncovered an 82 kg iron meteorite, which is now housed at the Natural History Museum in London.
Who discovered the Boxhole impact crater?
The Boxhole impact crater was brought to scientific attention in 1937 by Joe Webb, a shearer at the Boxhole sheep station, who took geologist Cecil Madigan to examine the site.
What is the size of the Boxhole impact crater?
The Boxhole impact crater measures 170 meters in diameter.
Related Impact Craters
Kaali
The Kaali crater group, located on the Estonian island of Saaremaa, is a significant impact structure formed by a meteorite event. The largest of the nine craters contains Lake Kaali and is surrounded by eight smaller impact features. Its formation, estimated to be shortly after 1530-1450 BC, is notable for occurring in a populated area and has been linked to regional mythology as a sacred site.
Macha
The Macha crater field in Siberia, Russia, comprises five meteorite craters ranging from 60 to 300 meters in diameter. The two largest craters form a pear-shaped feature known as Abram Lake. This field is significant as it contains the second-largest Holocene-era crater discovered to date, with an estimated age of approximately 7,300 years.
Morasko
Morasko is a meteorite nature reserve in Poznań, Poland, notable for containing seven impact craters formed approximately 5,000 years ago. The largest crater measures about 100 meters in diameter and 11 meters deep, with five of the craters containing lakes. The site has yielded numerous meteorite fragments, including significant finds in 1956, 2006, and 2012.