Meteor/Barringer

Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater)

Meteor Crater, also widely known as Barringer Crater, stands as a remarkable and exceptionally well-preserved impact structure located in the desert of northern Arizona, United States. Situated approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of Flagstaff, this crater is considered by many scientific institutions to be the finest example of a meteorite crater on Earth.

Formation and Age

The colossal excavation was the result of a catastrophic impact event that occurred roughly 50,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch. At that time, the Colorado Plateau, where the crater resides, experienced a cooler and more humid climate, supporting grasslands and woodlands inhabited by megafauna such as mammoths. The celestial body responsible for this dramatic event was a nickel-iron meteorite, estimated to be about 50 meters (160 feet) in diameter. The impact generated an estimated energy of 10 megatons of TNT, and a significant portion of the meteorite was vaporized upon impact, leaving behind only fragments and altering the local geology.

Discovery and Investigation

While encountered by settlers in the 19th century, the scientific exploration of Meteor Crater began in earnest in 1891 with mineralogist Albert E. Foote's presentation of the first scientific paper on the associated meteorites. Early investigations, including those by Grove Karl Gilbert of the U.S. Geological Survey, initially proposed a volcanic steam explosion as the cause. However, mining engineer Daniel M. Barringer was a prominent early proponent of the impact hypothesis. Barringer, convinced by the evidence and the potential for valuable meteoric iron, purchased the land and dedicated much of his life and fortune to searching for the main body of the meteorite, drilling extensively into the crater floor. Despite his efforts, the vast majority of the impactor had been vaporized, a concept poorly understood at the time.

Later scientific work by Harvey H. Nininger in the 1930s and 1940s, and particularly by Eugene M. Shoemaker in the 1960s, solidified the impact origin. Shoemaker's identification of minerals like coesite and stishovite, which form under extreme shock pressures, provided irrefutable evidence for an impact event, further supporting the idea that the impactor was largely vaporized. The relatively young age of the crater and the arid Arizona climate have contributed significantly to its excellent state of preservation, making it a vital natural laboratory.

Modern Significance

Today, Meteor Crater remains privately owned by the Barringer family through the Barringer Crater Company. It is a popular tourist destination and an important educational and research site. Its geological features have been instrumental in understanding impact processes. Furthermore, the crater's unique terrain has served as a training ground for NASA astronauts, preparing them for lunar exploration during the Apollo missions and continuing to this day. The site was designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1967, acknowledging its profound scientific and geological importance.