Glasford crater | |
---|---|
Impact crater/structure | |
Confidence | Confirmed |
Diameter | 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) |
Depth | 350 metres (1,150 ft) |
Age | < 430 Ma |
Exposed | No |
Drilled | Yes |
Location | |
Coordinates | 40°36′N 89°47′W / 40.600°N 89.783°W |
Country | USA |
State | Illinois |
Municipality | Glasford, Illinois |
The Glasford crater, also known as the Glasford Disturbance, Glasford Structure, [1] and Glasford Cryptoexplosion Structure [2], is a buried impact crater in southern Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. [3] It is one of two known meteor craters in Illinois. [4]
It is 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be less than 430 million years ( Silurian or younger). [5] [6] It was formed in a marine environment in the Late Ordovician period. [7] [8] The meteorite is estimated between 50 and 90 million tons and likely originated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. [9]
The Glasford crater was discovered by the Central Illinois Light Company (formerly CILCO, now Ameren) while drilling wells for underground natural gas storage. [10] [11] It is not visible from the surface, as it is covered by agricultural farmland. [12] [11] The present day location is near the intersection of Cowser and Kingston Mines roads. [9] It was identified in 1963 as a probable impact structure. [5] [13] In the 1980s, scientists identified shatter cones. [5] Geologists estimate the meteor released a large amount of energy, roughly equivalent to 20,000 nuclear bombs, 460 million tons of TNT, or two to three times the energy of the Mount St. Helens eruption. [11] [9]
According to research by geologist Charles Monson, the Glasford crater may be connected to the Great Ordovician Meteor Shower. [14] Dr. Birger Schmitz's study suggests that the dust from the meteor impact may have impacted Earth's climate and contributed to the mid-Ordovician Ice Age. [4] [14]
Glasford crater | |
---|---|
Impact crater/structure | |
Confidence | Confirmed |
Diameter | 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) |
Depth | 350 metres (1,150 ft) |
Age | < 430 Ma |
Exposed | No |
Drilled | Yes |
Location | |
Coordinates | 40°36′N 89°47′W / 40.600°N 89.783°W |
Country | USA |
State | Illinois |
Municipality | Glasford, Illinois |
The Glasford crater, also known as the Glasford Disturbance, Glasford Structure, [1] and Glasford Cryptoexplosion Structure [2], is a buried impact crater in southern Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. [3] It is one of two known meteor craters in Illinois. [4]
It is 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be less than 430 million years ( Silurian or younger). [5] [6] It was formed in a marine environment in the Late Ordovician period. [7] [8] The meteorite is estimated between 50 and 90 million tons and likely originated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. [9]
The Glasford crater was discovered by the Central Illinois Light Company (formerly CILCO, now Ameren) while drilling wells for underground natural gas storage. [10] [11] It is not visible from the surface, as it is covered by agricultural farmland. [12] [11] The present day location is near the intersection of Cowser and Kingston Mines roads. [9] It was identified in 1963 as a probable impact structure. [5] [13] In the 1980s, scientists identified shatter cones. [5] Geologists estimate the meteor released a large amount of energy, roughly equivalent to 20,000 nuclear bombs, 460 million tons of TNT, or two to three times the energy of the Mount St. Helens eruption. [11] [9]
According to research by geologist Charles Monson, the Glasford crater may be connected to the Great Ordovician Meteor Shower. [14] Dr. Birger Schmitz's study suggests that the dust from the meteor impact may have impacted Earth's climate and contributed to the mid-Ordovician Ice Age. [4] [14]