Ilyinets
The Ilyinets crater, located in Ukraine's Vinnytsia Oblast, is an impact structure with a diameter of 8.5 kilometers. Its age is estimated to be around 378 million years, dating back to the Upper Devonian period. The crater is not currently visible on the surface, with its geological significance lying in its formation and location within the Ukrainian Shield.
Key Facts
- ›Diameter: 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles)
- ›Estimated Age: 378 ± 5 million years
- ›Geological Period: Upper Devonian
- ›Location: Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine
- ›Visibility: not exposed at the surface
- ›Geological Setting: Boundary of Ros–Tikych and Dniester–Bug megastructures of the Ukrainian Shield
About Ilyinets
Ilyinets Crater
The Ilyinets crater is a significant impact structure located in the Vinnytsia Oblast of Ukraine. This subterranean crater measures approximately 8.5 kilometers in diameter and is estimated to have formed around 378 million years ago, during the Upper Devonian period.
Geological Context
Geologically, the Ilyinets crater is situated at the intersection of the Ros–Tikych and Dniester–Bug megastructures within the broader Ukrainian Shield. Its current state is such that it is not visible on the Earth's surface, suggesting that erosion or subsequent geological deposition has obscured its original features.
Formation and Age
The crater's substantial age places its formation in the Paleozoic Era. The precise circumstances of the impact, including the type and size of the bolide, are subjects of geological study, but its existence is confirmed as an impact event. The estimated age of 378 ± 5 million years provides a key marker for understanding the geological history of the region.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Ilyinets crater located?
The Ilyinets crater is situated in the Vinnytsia Oblast of Ukraine. It lies at the boundary of the Ros–Tikych and Dniester–Bug megastructures within the Ukrainian Shield.
How large is the Ilyinets crater?
The Ilyinets crater has a diameter of approximately 8.5 kilometers, which is equivalent to 5.3 miles.
When did the impact event that formed the Ilyinets crater occur?
The impact event is estimated to have occurred around 378 million years ago, during the Upper Devonian geological period.
Is the Ilyinets crater visible on the surface today?
No, the Ilyinets crater is not exposed at the surface. Its features are likely obscured by subsequent geological processes or overburden.
Related Impact Craters
Boltysh
The Boltysh crater, also known as Bovtyshka, is a significant buried impact structure in Ukraine's Kirovohrad Oblast. With a diameter of 24 kilometers and an age of approximately 65.39 million years, it is notably close in age to the Chicxulub crater. While not believed to have caused major global environmental effects like Chicxulub, its discovery and dating have contributed to understanding impact events around the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.
Rotmistrovka
Rotmistrovka is a buried impact crater located in Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine, near the village of the same name. Estimated to be 120 million years old, this crater is significant for its geological composition, featuring a brecciated granite lens and impact glass beneath sedimentary layers.
Clearwater East
Clearwater East is one of two impact craters, forming the Clearwater Lakes in Quebec, Canada. This complex crater, with a diameter of 26 km, is estimated to be around 460-470 million years old, dating back to the Middle Ordovician period. Its central peak is submerged beneath lake water and sediments, but its presence has been confirmed through geological surveys and core drilling.