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An American team found the world's biggest meteor crater almost two kilometres deepunder the Wilkes Land region of Antarctica, directly south of Australia. They say the 500-kilometre-wide crater wascaused by a meteor almost 50 kilometres wide,the size of Sydney. The meteor struck 250 million years ago and must have been the biggest explosion ever seen on the planet, far bigger than the 10-kilometre-wide meteor which hit east of Mexico 65 million years ago, wiping out the dinosaurs. The massive explosion from the impact probably created the continent of Australia, forcing it to break away from the existing land mass. Ohio State University scientists who found the crater said the massive Antarctic crater could explain the global extinction in the Permian-Triassic period when all animal life on Earth died out, clearing the way for the dinosaurs.

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When a meteor hits the earth what does it form?

When a meteor hits the Earth it forms a crater.


When was the first crater discovered on earth?

The first confirmed impact crater discovered on Earth is the Barringer Crater (Meteor Crater) in Arizona, USA. It was identified as an impact site in the early 20th century by geologist Daniel Barringer. The crater was formed around 50,000 years ago by a meteorite impact.


What is the depression in the earth's surface caused by volcano or meteor or other explosion?

A depression in the earth's surface caused by a volcano or meteor impact or other explosion is known as a crater. Craters can vary in size and depth depending on the force and size of the impact.


Where is the meteor crater found on earth?

The Meteor Crater, also known as Barringer Crater, is located near Winslow, Arizona in the United States. It was formed by the impact of a meteorite approximately 50,000 years ago. It is one of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth and is a popular tourist attraction.


What kind of feature might be formed on Earth if a large meteorite reached its surface?

A large meteor strike on the earth might cause a crateron the surface. If it struck the water, it may leave a bit of a crater in the sea floor, depending on the size and velocity and composition of the meteor and the depth of the sea where it impacted. If it hit land, there'd be a big "dent" in the ground where the missle and the blast of impact gouged it out.


Which state is the barringer meteor crater located?

the barringer crater is located in Arizona


How might geologists distinguish an impact crater on earth such as meteor crater in Arizona from a volcanic crater?

A large meteoric impact such as Meteor Crater in Arizona, displaces the sedimentary rock that has existed before impact. On the rim of Meteor Crater are displaced boulders from lower depositional areas. Small fragments of the meteor are found around the entire area of the impact, and they may be detected with something as simple as a magnet. Features that indicate a volcanic event, like volcanic cinders or quantities of extrusive igneous rock , would also be missing from the impact site.


When a large what strikes earth it can create a crater?

When a large asteroid or meteoroid strikes Earth, it can create a crater due to the impact energy released upon collision. The size and depth of the crater depend on factors such as the size, speed, and angle of the incoming object, as well as the composition of the Earth's surface at the impact site.


What year was the meteor crater made in AZ?

The Meteor Crater in Arizona was formed around 50,000 years ago when a large meteorite struck the Earth. It is one of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth and is estimated to be around 50,000 years old.


What is formed when a meteor hits the earth?

a CRATER


What happens when meteor crashes?

When a meteor crashes into the Earth, it can cause a crater to form, release a huge amount of energy, and sometimes create shock waves that can cause damage to surrounding areas. The impact can also eject debris into the atmosphere, leading to potential changes in the environment.


When did the meteor crater in arazona hit earth?

The meteor crater in Arizona was created around 50,000 years ago when a meteorite struck the Earth's surface, forming the crater we see today.