Colônia crater, Impact crater in Parelheiros district, São Paulo, Brazil
Colônia crater is a circular depression in São Paulo formed by a meteorite strike, with a distinctive ring of hills surrounding a lower central basin. The entire feature covers a significant area and displays the characteristic shape that makes impact sites recognizable across the landscape.
The crater formed millions of years ago when a large space object struck the Earth, leaving behind a lasting imprint on the landscape. This ancient impact event shaped the geological structure we see today.
The site holds special meaning for people interested in geology and how cosmic events shaped the land beneath them. Visitors come to see how impact craters appear in real life and to understand the forces that have reshaped Earth's surface.
The site sits in an outlying district of São Paulo and is best reached by car from the city center. Plan your visit during dry weather, as heavy rains can make paths slippery and harder to walk through.
The sediment layers buried beneath the surface contain a detailed record of climate shifts spanning thousands of years. This natural archive helps scientists piece together how Earth's weather patterns have changed over deep time.
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