Oldest impact crater reported

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In summary, scientists have discovered the oldest impact crater on Earth, estimated to be 3 billion years old and caused by a meteorite 19 miles in diameter. The crater, located in Western Greenland, is so large that it would reach the edge of space if stood on end. The area also has deposits of Ni and Pt, leading to speculation that they may have been formed by the same meteorite. This discovery raises the possibility that valuable metals on Earth could have originated from meteorite impacts.
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Oldest Impact Crater on Earth Discovered
http://news.yahoo.com/oldest-impact-crater-earth-discovered-162802443.html

Scientists think it was formed 3 billion years ago by a meteorite 19 miles (30 kilometer) wide — which, if it hit Earth today, would wipe out all higher life. The crater is so wide that it would reach the edge of space 62 miles (100 km) above Earth if stood on end.

. . . .
The area in Western Greenland has deposits of Ni and Pt. I wonder if it's from the same source as the crater in Sudbury, Ontario, which is considered to be only 2 (+/-) billion years old.
 
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...an impact from a meteorite that may have contained valuable metals.

Doesn't that mean that some valuable metals may have come as a result of meteorite impacts?
 
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Wow, this is really fascinating! It's amazing to think that this impact crater has been hiding on Earth for billions of years. I'm curious about the deposits of Ni and Pt in the area. Could it be possible that they were also formed by the same meteorite that created the crater? It would be interesting to see if there are any similarities or connections between the two locations. And the fact that the crater is so massive, reaching the edge of space, just shows the immense power of the impact. It's a reminder of how small and vulnerable we are in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for sharing this article!
 

1. What is an impact crater?

An impact crater is a bowl-shaped depression created on the surface of a celestial body by the impact of a smaller object, such as a meteorite or asteroid.

2. How is the age of an impact crater determined?

The age of an impact crater is determined by analyzing the surrounding rocks and using radiometric dating techniques to determine the age of the material that was affected by the impact.

3. What is the oldest impact crater reported?

The oldest impact crater reported is the Yarrabubba crater in Western Australia, estimated to be around 2.2 billion years old.

4. How do scientists know that Yarrabubba is the oldest impact crater?

Scientists use various methods to confirm the age of an impact crater, such as analyzing the minerals and rocks within the crater, studying the deformation of the surrounding rocks, and examining the shock features caused by the impact.

5. What can we learn from studying impact craters?

Studying impact craters can provide insights into the history and formation of our solar system, as well as the effects of large impacts on the Earth's surface and life on our planet. It can also help us understand the potential risks of future impacts and how to mitigate them.

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