Tenoumer crater, Impact crater in western Sahara Desert, Mauritania.
The circular Tenoumer crater measures 1.9 kilometers in diameter with walls rising 110 meters above the desert floor in Mauritania's barren landscape.
Scientists initially considered the crater volcanic due to surrounding rocks, but subsequent research confirmed its formation through meteorite impact approximately 21,400 years ago.
The crater serves as a field laboratory for international research teams studying Earth's geological transformations through impact events in North Africa.
Visitors require special permits and desert-equipped vehicles to reach the remote crater site, located far from established roads and settlements.
The crater floor contains a 300-meter-thick layer of sediments, while its rim preserves evidence of the intense heat that melted local gneiss and granite.
GPS coordinates: 22.91806,-10.40750
Latest update: March 9, 2025 07:18
Meteorite craters mark locations where asteroids collided with Earth. These geological structures range from 110 meters to 300 kilometers in diameter. They often contain distinct minerals like diamonds, nickel, and copper. Scientists use the craters to study Earth's history and cosmic events.
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