Barringer Crater
Barringer Crater, also known as Meteor Crater, is located in the northern part of Arizona, USA, near the town of Winslow. This impact crater was created approximately 50,000 years ago by the impact of a nickel-iron meteorite known as the Canyon Diablo Meteorite.
Geographical and Physical Characteristics
- Location: Coconino County, Arizona, about 37 miles (60 km) east of Flagstaff.
- Size: The crater has a diameter of nearly 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) and a depth of approximately 570 feet (170 meters).
- Formation: The crater was formed by the impact of a meteorite estimated to have been about 160 feet (50 meters) in diameter, moving at around 26,000 miles per hour (42,000 km/h).
- Geology: The rim of the crater rises about 148 feet (45 meters) above the surrounding plains, and the crater itself is surrounded by a rim uplift of the underlying sedimentary rock layers.
Historical Significance
- Discovery: The crater was known to local Native American tribes before its recognition by European settlers. It was first described scientifically by John Wesley Powell in 1871.
- Naming: It was named after Daniel M. Barringer, a mining engineer who was convinced that the crater was formed by a meteorite impact and spent much of his life and fortune trying to prove it.
- Scientific Studies: Barringer's efforts led to extensive geological and astronomical studies of the crater, confirming its origin as an impact site. Eugene Shoemaker's work in the 1960s was pivotal in establishing the impact theory.
Economic and Cultural Impact
- Tourism: Today, Barringer Crater is a popular tourist destination, offering educational tours, a museum, and the chance to view the crater from various vantage points.
- Research: The site has been a focal point for impact crater research, contributing to our understanding of impact events and crater formation processes.
- Cultural: The crater has inspired numerous cultural references, including in literature, film, and as a backdrop for space exploration training.
References
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