Will someone tell me about that crater?

  • Thread starter Ian
  • Start date
In summary, at the northern tip of South America, there is a large circular 'crater' that is estimated to be millions of years old and can only be seen through satellite images. According to some scientists, it may be the Chicxulub crater, which is said to have caused the extinction of dinosaurs. However, the location and geological evidence suggest that it may not actually be an impact crater, as 60 million years of sedimentation and tectonic activity should have significantly altered its appearance.
  • #1
Ian
88
1
At the northern tip of South America there appears to be a gigantic circular 'crater' dating back millions of years that is only visible from satellite images.

How old? what is it? Its effect?
Any info please.

thanks,
Ian.
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
  • #3
That supposed impact crater is mostly beneath the sea but also appears on land. If it were somewhere else I might accept it as an impact crater, but due to it's geographic location it simply cannot be the remnant of an impact.
 
  • #4
What's the problem? 63 million years of sedimentation and tectonics is more than enough to build complete mountains on top of it, burying it completely.
 
  • #5
Yeah that's right, 60 million years of sedimentation to cover it and 60 milliion years of tectonic motion to break it up. The crater lies on a collision boundary so tectonics should have broken it up not preserved it. It should be severely mis-shapen after all that time.
 
  • #6
Ian said:
Yeah that's right, 60 million years of sedimentation to cover it and 60 milliion years of tectonic motion to break it up. The crater lies on a collision boundary so tectonics should have broken it up not preserved it. It should be severely mis-shapen after all that time.

Actually, from what I can see, it is quite a distance from the nearest boundary, and outside of the regions of recent tectonic deformation.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com:...0000201/chap_tutorial/ch03/images/le03_01.jpg

http://www.huttoncommentaries.com/Other/Latinia/SAm_P&A750.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. Why was the crater formed?

The crater was most likely formed by a meteorite impact, volcanic eruption, or other explosive event on the surface of a planet or moon. It could also be the result of a collapsed cave or sinkhole.

2. How big is the crater?

The size of a crater can vary greatly, from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. The size depends on the force of the impact or explosion, as well as the type of material on the surface.

3. What can we learn from studying craters?

By studying craters, we can learn about the history and geology of a planet or moon. We can also gain insight into the impact of cosmic events on different bodies in our solar system and beyond.

4. Are craters only found on Earth?

No, craters can be found on many different bodies in our solar system, including other planets, moons, and even asteroids. They are also found on Earth, but erosion and geological processes often obscure them.

5. How long does it take for a crater to form?

The time it takes for a crater to form depends on the size and type of impact or explosion. Small craters can form in seconds, while larger ones may take hours or even days. The healing process of a crater can also take thousands or millions of years.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
922
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
991
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • Earth Sciences
Replies
11
Views
11K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
2
Replies
56
Views
4K
  • Earth Sciences
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
6
Views
2K
Back
Top