Crooked Creek
United States·Mississippian·Paleozoic·Circular depression
Crooked Creek is a 7 km diameter impact crater located in Crawford County, Missouri, United States. Estimated to be 320 million years old, it is one of several circular depressions forming the "38th parallel structures" across the central United States, which are theorized to be the result of a serial impact event.
Key Facts
- ›Diameter: 7 km
- ›Age: Approximately 320 million years old (Mississippian period)
- ›Location: Crawford County, Missouri, United States
- ›Morphology: Circular depression
- ›Visibility: Exposed to the surface
- ›Significance: Part of the "38th parallel structures"
Decaturville Crater, Weaubleau Structure
About Crooked Creek
Crooked Creek Impact Crater
The Crooked Creek impact crater is a geological feature located in Crawford County, Missouri, United States. It measures approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) in diameter and is estimated to have formed around 320 million years ago, during the Mississippian period.
The crater is visible on the Earth's surface, indicating that it has not been significantly obscured by erosion or burial. Crooked Creek is recognized as one of the "38th parallel structures," a collection of circular depressions found across the central United States. These structures have led to speculation among scientists that they might be the consequence of a serial impact event, where multiple celestial bodies struck the Earth in proximity or succession.
Further research into Crooked Creek and similar structures contributes to understanding impact cratering processes and their distribution on Earth. Its association with the "38th parallel structures" highlights its potential significance in deciphering past extraterrestrial impacts on the North American continent.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Crooked Creek impact crater located?
The Crooked Creek impact crater is situated in Crawford County, Missouri, within the United States.
How large is the Crooked Creek impact crater?
The crater has an estimated diameter of 7 kilometers (approximately 4.3 miles).
How old is the Crooked Creek impact crater?
The age of the Crooked Creek impact crater is estimated to be around 320 million years, placing it within the Mississippian geological period.
What is the geological significance of Crooked Creek?
Crooked Creek is notable as one of the "38th parallel structures," a series of circular depressions across the central United States that may indicate a serial impact event.
Is the Crooked Creek impact crater visible on the surface?
Yes, the Crooked Creek impact crater is exposed to the surface, meaning it is not significantly buried or obscured.
Related Impact Craters
Serpent Mound
Serpent Mound crater, also known as the Serpent Mound Disturbance, is an eroded, complex meteorite impact crater located in Adams County, Ohio, with parts extending into Highland and Pike Counties. Its original rim diameter is estimated to be around 8 km, and it is dated to less than 320 million years old. The crater is notable for its proximity to the Serpent Mound, an effigy mound, leading to speculation that the unique geological features may have inspired its construction.
Glasford
The Glasford crater, also known as the Glasford Disturbance, is a buried impact structure located in southern Peoria County, Illinois. Discovered in 1963, it is one of only two known meteor craters in Illinois and is significant for its potential connection to the Great Ordovician Meteor Shower and its possible influence on Earth's climate.
Flynn Creek
The Flynn Creek crater, located in Jackson County, Tennessee, is a well-preserved impact structure formed approximately 360 million years ago. It is notable for its complex morphology, including a significant central uplift and folded rim strata, and its importance in understanding ancient impact events.