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Credit & Copyright: D. Roddy
(LPI)
Explanation:
What happens when a
meteor hits the ground?
Usually nothing much, as most
meteors are small, and indentations they make are soon eroded away.
49,000 years ago, however, a large meteor created
Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona,
pictured above.
Barringer
is over a kilometer across.
In 1920, it was the first feature on Earth to be recognized as an
impact crater. Today, over 100
terrestrial impact craters have been identified.
Recent computer modeling now indicates how some of the
Canyon Diablo impactor melted during the impact
that created Barringer.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Earth - impact crater
Publications with words: Earth - impact crater
See also: