Glasford crater, Impact crater in Peoria County, Illinois, US.
Glasford crater is an impact structure in Peoria County beneath southern Illinois farmland. It measures roughly 4 kilometers across and extends about 350 meters down, with its location confirmed through drilling operations.
The crater formed around 455 million years ago during the Ordovician period when a meteorite struck Earth. This impact event left a lasting geological mark on the region.
The Central Illinois Light Company identified this geological formation while conducting drilling operations for underground natural gas storage purposes.
The crater remains buried below the surface and cannot be seen from ground level, so access is limited to research activities. Visitors can explore the area near Cowser and Kingston Mines Roads, though there are no above-ground features to observe.
The crater floor contains deformed quartz formations and shatter cones discovered during drilling for underground gas storage. These geological features confirm its meteoritic origin and set it apart from other ground formations in the area.
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