description Barringer Meteor Crater Overview
Barringer Meteor Crater is a well-preserved impact crater located in Winslow, Arizona. Formed by a meteorite approximately 50,000 years ago, it represents one of the best examples of a preserved impact site on Earth. The crater’s size and clarity make it valuable for geological study and provides an accessible location for scientists and students to examine impact processes and Pleistocene-era events.
help Barringer Meteor Crater FAQ
How wide and deep is the Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona?
The crater measures roughly 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) in diameter and plunges 570 feet (170 meters) into the earth. The entire circumference is elevated, surrounded by a rocky rim that rises 150 feet above the surrounding plain.
Who proved that the crater in Arizona was formed by a meteorite?
For years, scientists believed the crater was an extinct volcanic caldera, but mining engineer Daniel Barringer theorized it was an impact site in 1903. He spent decades trying to find the massive iron meteorite he believed was buried beneath the crater floor.
How big was the meteorite that created the Barringer Meteor Crater?
The impacting space rock is estimated to have been about 50 meters, or roughly 150 feet, across. It was composed mostly of nickel and iron and struck the earth traveling at an estimated 26,000 miles per hour.
Can visitors actually walk inside the Barringer Meteor Crater?
The crater is privately owned by the Barringer Crater Company, and while tourists can visit the rim and observation decks, public access to the crater floor is strictly prohibited. However, guided rim trails are available that allow visitors to hike along the edge of the massive pit.
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