Puchezh-Katunki
Russia·Sinemurian·Mesozoic·Buried impact structure with central dome, ring depression, and ring terrace
The Puchezh-Katunki crater is a large impact structure located in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast of Russia, with a current estimated diameter of 80 kilometers. Its formation is dated to the Early Jurassic period, approximately 195.9 million years ago. Despite its significant size, the crater is largely buried by younger sediments, with its presence primarily indicated by variations in surface vegetation.
Key Facts
- ›Diameter: 80 km (50 MI)
- ›Age: 195.9 ± 1.0 million years old
- ›Geological Period: Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic
- ›Location: Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Volga Federal District, Russia
- ›Morphology: Central dome, ring depression, and ring terrace, largely buried
- ›Discovery: Identified through surface vegetation variations and geological surveys.
Obolon' Crater
About Puchezh-Katunki
Puchezh-Katunki is a significant impact crater located in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast of Russia's Volga Federal District. This massive geological feature measures approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) in diameter. Scientific dating, specifically argon-argon dating, has determined the age of its formation to be 195.9 ± 1.0 million years old, placing the impact event firmly within the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic epoch.
Description and Visibility
Despite its substantial size, the Puchezh-Katunki crater is not readily visible on the Earth's surface. The central dome, ring depression, and ring terrace that characterize the impact structure are almost entirely concealed beneath layers of Neogene and Quaternary sediments. The only impactites that have been found exposed are located along the banks of the Volga River. Its presence is primarily inferred through subtle variations observed in the surface vegetation.
Related Structures
The Obolon' crater is also noted in association with Puchezh-Katunki, suggesting potential geological connections or comparative studies within the region or among impact structures.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of the Puchezh-Katunki crater?
The Puchezh-Katunki crater has an estimated diameter of 80 kilometers (50 miles). The Earth Impact Database lists a rim-to-rim diameter of 40 kilometers (25 miles).
When was the Puchezh-Katunki crater formed?
The impact event that created the Puchezh-Katunki crater occurred approximately 195.9 ± 1.0 million years ago. This age places its formation within the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic geological period.
Where is the Puchezh-Katunki crater located?
Puchezh-Katunki is situated in the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, within the Volga Federal District of Russia. It is a significant geological feature in this region.
Is the Puchezh-Katunki crater visible on the surface?
No, the Puchezh-Katunki crater is not exposed to the surface. It is nearly completely buried under Neogene and Quaternary sediments, with its presence only appearing as variations in the vegetation cover.
What are the geological features of the Puchezh-Katunki crater?
The buried impact structure is characterized by a central dome, a ring depression, and a ring terrace. The only exposed impactites have been found on the banks of the Volga River.
Related Impact Craters
Kara
Kara is a heavily eroded meteorite crater located in the Yugorsky Peninsula, Nenetsia, Russia. While its current diameter is estimated at 65 kilometers, it is believed to have originally been 120 kilometers before significant erosion. The impact event occurred approximately 70.3 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.
Jänisjärvi
Jänisjärvi is a lake in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, whose basin was formed by a meteorite impact approximately 700 million years ago. The impact created a circular crater with a diameter of 14 kilometers. It was once mistakenly identified as a volcanic caldera before its true impact origin was recognized.
Logancha
The Logancha Crater is an impact structure located in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, with a diameter of approximately 20 kilometers. Its age is estimated to be around 40 million years, though it is not visible on the surface today.