Impact Craters

By iastoppers.com

Top 5

of the World

Impact craters

They are circular depressions formed by a smaller object’s hypervelocity impact

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Structure

Raised rims and floors that are lower in elevation than the surrounding terrain

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Consequences

Out of 190 confirmed craters, some have caused the extinction of species like dinosaurs.

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1. Vredefort

Situated in South Africa, it is one of the largest impact craters and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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2. Chicxulub

Formed in Mexico 66 million years ago by a colossal asteroid, resulting in extinction of 75% of biodiversity, including dinosaurs

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3. Sudbury Basin

Created 1.849 billion years ago in Canada, is an important mining region

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4. Popigai

Found in Russia's Siberia, it houses many diamonds but remains inaccessible due to remote location and lack of infrastructure

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5. Manicouagan

Originating around 214 million years ago, it is now recognized as a prominent reservoir with a rich geological history

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