Shoemaker crater, Impact crater in Western Australia, Australia
Shoemaker crater is an impact structure spanning roughly 30 kilometers across, displaying multiple concentric rings formed within the sedimentary rocks of the Earaheedy Basin. Several seasonal salt lakes, including Lake Teague, occupy portions of the crater, with water levels that shift based on rainfall.
This impact structure was scientifically confirmed in 1974 following the discovery of shocked quartz and shatter cones in surrounding rocks. This confirmation was crucial for understanding how meteor impacts have shaped the geology of this region.
The site carries the name of Eugene Shoemaker, a scientist who pioneered astrogeology as a distinct field of study. Visitors can observe how this naming reflects the location's importance to the scientific community.
The location is remote, so access to local services and resources may be limited. Visitors should plan ahead and check local conditions before traveling to this area.
The crater's central region contains a roughly 12-kilometer-wide exposure of ancient granite dating back about 2.6 billion years. This outcrop reveals some of Australia's oldest rocks and offers a window into the continent's early geological history.
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