Steinheim crater

The Steinheim crater is a circular depression in Baden-Württemberg measuring 3.8 kilometers across with a central hill rising 50 meters above the crater floor. The site is marked with informational panels and forms a protected natural area that walkers can traverse on various trails.

The impact occurred roughly 14.3 million years ago during the Middle Miocene period when a meteorite struck Earth. After the collision, a lake formed and filled with sediments, preserving fossils from that distant time.

The Crater Museum in Sontheim displays rocks and minerals from the post-impact period and invites visitors to explore the site through guided walks. People come here to understand the place's story through exhibits and trails across the landscape.

The site lies about 40 kilometers west of the Nördlinger Ries and is easy to explore via walking trails. Visitors should bring appropriate clothing for longer walks and changing weather, as the terrain is open and the path sometimes uneven.

The crater area holds fossil-rich lake sediments from the Miocene period, providing rare glimpses into ancient animal life. These deposits were first documented in 1905 with their own shock cone structures, which form only from meteorite impacts.

Location: district Heidenheim

GPS coordinates: 48.68667,10.06500

Latest update: December 20, 2025 16:07