What's Happening?
Researchers in China have discovered the Jinlin crater, the largest modern impact structure on Earth, located in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province. Measuring approximately 900 meters in diameter and 90 meters deep,
the crater was formed during the early-to-mid Holocene by a meteorite. The preservation of the crater is attributed to granite layers containing quartz with planar deformation features, indicating intense shock pressures unique to celestial impacts. This discovery provides insights into Earth's impact history and the distribution of extraterrestrial objects.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of the Jinlin crater is significant for understanding Earth's impact history and the scale of extraterrestrial impacts during the Holocene epoch. The crater's preservation offers a unique opportunity to study the geological evolution and impact regulation of small celestial bodies. This research contributes to our knowledge of Earth's history and the factors that have shaped its geological landscape.
