Throughout the ages, Earth’s history has been influenced by occasional collisions with massive meteors that have literally fallen from the sky. Meteor Crater in Arizona is the most intact meteor impact site in the world, showcasing how much even a more modestly sized meteor can change a given landscape. The impact site reveals a great deal about the history of life in northern Arizona and the great expanse of space that lies beyond the planet. Visitors can easily get to the crater from I-40, where a number of unique sites line the historic pathways of Route 66.
Crater formation
The Meteor Crater is located on the Colorado Plateau, which featured a much different landscape 50,000 years ago when the meteor hit. No humans would have seen the impact site for about 10,000 years after its creation, when wooly mammoths, giant ground sloths, and other now extinct mammals dominated the woodlands and grassy landscape of the region. Most of the meteorite vaporized upon impact, though a chunk of about 160 feet in diameter was excavated from the crater. This is now known as the Diablo Meteorite, named for the ghost town of Canyon Diablo that lies about 12 miles from the crater.
Investigation and mining
For decades it was thought that the crater was formed by volcanic activity, but Daniel Barringer thought differently. After gaining mining rights to the land and investigating the cause of the crater’s formation, he concluded that a meteor was, in fact, responsible. Later geological testing supporter Barringer’s hypothesis and created a spectacle for passersby to enjoy.
Current tourist accessibility
Tourism to Meteor Crater supports science education through the unique experience of viewing the formation up close and exploring the Visitor’s Center. Proceeds from these visits benefit a number of grants, scholarships, and special awards.
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This article is part of a series on Arizona’s Amazing Roadside Attractions
