Strangways crater, Impact crater in Northern Territory, Australia.
Strangways crater is a circular geological formation in Northern Territory measuring roughly 16 kilometers across and containing distinctive features from ancient impact. The structure shows evidence of shock metamorphism through specific mineral formations that scientists can still observe today.
Research in the 1970s confirmed that the crater resulted from a meteorite impact roughly 646 million years ago, overturning earlier theories about its volcanic origin. Scientists studied the rock formations to establish this dating and mechanism.
The crater takes its name from the Strangways River, while the surrounding lands maintain connections to Indigenous Australian communities.
The site sits roughly 65 kilometers east-southeast of Mataranka in remote terrain requiring vehicle access and advance planning. Visitors should expect minimal facilities and prepare for rugged conditions when traveling to this isolated location.
The visible crater today represents only a portion of the original impact structure, which scientists estimate spanned 24 to 40 kilometers in diameter. Much of the ancient crater has disappeared through erosion and geological processes over geological time.
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