Iturralde Crater, Circular crater in La Paz Department, Bolivia.
Iturralde Crater is a circular geological formation measuring around 8 kilometers across, located within the dense vegetation of Madidi National Park in the Amazon Rainforest. The site sits between the Manupari and Madidi Rivers in a remote forest region.
Scientists discovered this geological formation in 1985 through Landsat satellite imagery, sparking research expeditions over the following decades. These investigations helped researchers understand the geological history of the Amazon region.
The Araona indigenous people inhabit this region of the Amazon and have their own names and oral traditions connected to this location. Their presence in the area reflects a deep connection to the landscape that extends back through many generations.
Access to the crater requires specialized transportation and special permissions due to its isolated forest location. Visitors should prepare for long travel times and challenging conditions at the site.
The soil contains millions of glass beads per kilogram, possibly formed by an aerial explosion of an extraterrestrial object. This unusual material makes the location a focal point for researchers investigating the crater's origins.
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